Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

asked the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, upon notice, on 16 March 2011:

With reference to the tender for the Australia Network (Australia's publicly funded international television service provided by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), which is due to expire and be put out to tender again:

(1) What has been the cost to the ABC to prepare its case to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) that the Australia Network service should remain with the ABC and not be put out to tender when the present contract expires (provided in hours and dollars).

(2) Can a copy be provided of the ABC's submission to DFAT's inquiry.

(3) If, due to confidential information, a copy cannot be provided, can a copy be provided with confidential information deleted and an explanation on why such information should not be public.

(4) When the former Howard Government put the Australia Network out to tender, how much did it cost the ABC to compete for that contract (provided in hours and dollars).

(5) To date, how much has it cost the ABC to meet the reporting and accountability requirements (to DFAT and any other areas of government) that are required of the ABC to meet the terms of its present contract to provide Australia Network (provided in hours and dollars).

(6) Is the current or potential presence and influence of Australia's public international broadcasting weakened by the separation of Australia Network and Radio Australia that results from Australia Network being a separate service that the ABC is forced to tender to operate.

(7) Is the efficiency of Australia Network and Radio Australia weakened by their separation, given the potential to share more resources and content if they were both ongoing services of the ABC.