Nick Xenophon (SA, Nick Xenophon Team) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—In respect of the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017, I move amendments (1) and (2) on sheet 8261 together:

(1) Schedule 3, item 1, page 10 (line 34), omit "360", substitute "600".

(2) Schedule 3, item 1, page 11 (line 1), omit "45", substitute "100".

These amendments relate very simply to minimum local content programming requirements in those areas that haven't had the same requirements in the past. This has been the subject of legislation I've previously moved to ensure that there is more local content for areas, such as the Riverland and the south-east of South Australia, that weren't protected by legislation that mandated minimum local content requirements. In the event of any ownership changes or any mergers, amendment (1) would omit '360' and substitute '600' and amendment (2) would omit '45' and substitute '100'.

The effect of these local programming requirements would be that there must a much higher requirement for local programming. It would translate to something like 50 minutes of local content per week—a significant increase; a doubling of the requirements. This is something I've long campaigned for. I note that Senator Ruston, from the Riverland, has been concerned about these issues. This is a significant improvement. For instance, this could mean more local stories and more local news in the Riverland and in the south-east markets. It would give the people of the south-east and the people of the Riverland an opportunity to have local news and local content to a much greater degree. It's not perfect; it's not the same as a nightly half-hour bulletin, but it would mean much more local content. I commend these amendments.