Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Colbeck for the question, and I recognise his strong support for media organisations in Tasmania. I'm pleased to advise colleagues that today the government has announced that applications are open for programs under the government's $60 million Regional and Small Publishers Jobs and Innovation Package. The centrepiece of the package is $50 million for the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund. I acknowledge the input into this policy of Centre Alliance colleagues.

We know that the media environment is challenging and is rapidly evolving, and this has presented challenges for all media organisations, but particularly for small publishers in regional areas. With this new fund, smaller publishers in Tasmania and right around Australia will have an opportunity to seek funding for projects to assist them to transform their business models, become more efficient and have a greater chance of success in the modern media environment. Local communities, we know, value having good, local content and local news. Having a strong, healthy and diverse media sector is one of the critical underpinnings of our democracy. That's why as a government we've delivered comprehensive and historic reforms to our media laws and why we've established this package of funding to assist smaller publishers.

Mr President, for the benefit of yourself and colleagues, more information on the fund and details on how to apply are now available on the website of the Australian Communications and Media Authority. Applications for the first round of funding close on 27 July. This is good news for Tasmanian publishers and indeed for small and regional publishers around Australia.