Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

Before moving general business notice of motion No. 588, I ask that the name of Senator Ciccone be added to the motion. I, and also on behalf of Senators Marielle Smith, Kitching and Ciccone, move:

That the Senate—

(a) acknowledges that local community television services Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide provide valuable programs and services to the community including:

(i) local news,

(ii) grassroots multicultural, sporting and arts activities and events,

(iii) training opportunities for young and emerging journalists and screen practitioners, including in partnership with universities,

(iv) support for small businesses and not-for-profits, 

(v) live to air broadcasts of cultural and religious services for older audiences without internet access;

(b) recognises that, consistent with the objects of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992, Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide:

(i) play an important role in reflecting Australian identity, character and cultural diversity,

(ii) provide program material that is locally significant, and

(iii) contribute to the diversity of broadcasting services available to the Australian public;

(c) notes that:

(i) consistent with the objects of the Radiocommunications Act 1992, Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide assist to:

(A) maximise the overall public benefit derived from using the radio frequency spectrum, and

(B) make adequate provision of the spectrum for use by community services,

(ii) there is no immediate or planned alternative use for the radio frequency spectrum occupied by Channel 31 and Channel 44,

(iii) since Mr Malcolm Turnbull's 2014 announcement of the Government's decision to move Community Television off-air, to an online-only model of distribution:

(A) the government has provided financial assistance and licence extensions to support a transition to an online-only distribution model, and

(B) licence uncertainty has contributed to the closure of CTV services in Sydney (TVS), Brisbane (Bris31) and Perth (WTV),

(iv) the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the media sector means a successful transition of C31 Melbourne and C44 Adelaide to an online-only distribution model is not feasible at this time; and

(d) calls on the Government to renew and/or extend the necessary licences for Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide to remain on air so they can continue to provide programs and services to the community over the free and ubiquitous broadcast television platform.