Rachel Siewert (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the reports That the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) may have to cut the specialist news program on its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander channel NITV;

(b) recognises the importance of Indigenous news media and the role that NITV reports play in covering a range of breaking news stories that are in the interest of, or from the perspective of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

(c) calls on the Government to work with SBS to ensure that this important service is retained.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Social Services) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Indigenous news and current affairs programming is at the heart of NITV. The government remains strongly committed to SBS delivering news and current affairs which reflects the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Since NITV joined SBS in 2012 and launched as a national free-to-air channel, NITV news has been an integral part of the NITV offering and the channel's commitment to producing news that goes to the heart of communities is paramount.

The government understands that SBS have done comprehensive audience research and analysis of nightly ratings in the 5.30 pm timeslot. NITV news averages 2,000 viewers. SBS said in a statement on 27 February that the NITV team is exploring new opportunities for news and current affairs and challenges to find the right time and the right platform and device that will resonate for audiences. In the same statement, SBS said that news is the largest area of investment for NITV and the level of funding will remain unchanged, with no impact to current budgets or employee resources.

Question agreed to.