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The labor communication minister was sworn in and it seems that some Canberra staffer put together policy ā¦.In the lead up to the election Labor made the following points on these key issues.
ABC:
Labor will never privatise the ABC.
We understand that the idea of privatising public broadcasting is an oxymoron. And we understand that the staff of the ABC ā the journalists, writers, presenters, creatives whose job it is to entertain, inform and educate Australians, should be able to do their jobs without fear:
-of being raided by police simply because they have embarrassed the government of the day,
-of having their funding cut,
-of having vendetta-style legislation introduced into Parliament because of an investigative report,
-of having a threatening letter sent to the Board because the Government didnāt like a program,
-or having their tweets pored over at Senate Estimates by so-called liberals who only support free speech when itās the stuff they want to hear.
In the face of political, social and economic instability at home and abroad, we must ensure that Australiaās instruments of nation building, democracy and culture remain strong now and into the future.
Thatās why weāve announced that, if elected, an Albanese Labor Government will do the following:
- Grant five-year funding terms to the national broadcasters, to provide much-needed stability.
- Review options for delivering a greater level of financial stability and certainty to the national broadcasters to safeguard against arbitrary ideological cuts and political interference.
- Reverse Scott Morrisonās cut of $83.7 million.
- Provide an additional funding of $32 million for ABC International for broadcasting in the Indo-Pacific.
- Examine the reintroduction of shortwave radio.
- Conduct a feasibility study into the expansion of Double J on radio.
Community television is a vibrant part of Australiaās media which is why Labor has fought attempts by the Liberal National government to boot it off air.
Community TV adds to media diversity, local news and content, supports local businesses and community organisations and provides a much-needed training ground for the journalists, producers and the industry talent of the future.
Labor moved a successful motion in the Senate calling for Community TV to be kept on air and helped force the Government to extend the broadcast licences for three more years, which now expire in mid-2024.
Labor will keep Community TV stations Channel 31 Melbourne and Channel 44 Adelaide on air until there is an alternative use for the radiofrequency spectrum they occupy, to ensure efficient use of this finite, scarce and valuable resource.
Childrenās TV:
As childrenās content producers, we are businesses that move with the times. We recognise that our audiences have shifted their viewing to include VOD platforms like Netflix, Amazon, Disney+ and Apple and welcome the opportunities this shift provides. We strongly support a progressive outlook for Australian childrenās content in an evolving on-demand world and we agree with the Federal Government on the need for policy change that supports a market driven approach to the sector.
But in abolishing the Free To Air quotas for childrenās content, with no corresponding legislation in place for the streamers or other adjustments, the Federal government has left the sector stranded.
Anti Siphoning List:
My passion for Australian TV content is not confined to drama and news. It includes sport ā and for anyone who enjoys watching Meg Lanning play cricket the lines between art and sport can at times be blurred. Sport on our TV screens is a hugely significant part of the Australian way of life for millions of our fellow citizens. But these cultural touchstones being broadcast for free across our vast continent are not guaranteed.
The anti-siphoning list holds an important place in the Australian broadcasting landscape because it should be a guardrail ensuring free to air broadcasters, and thus Australians, have access to significant sporting moments. Imagine Cathy Freemanās Sydney Olympics 400 metre final behind a paywall. Or John Aloisiās winning penalty against Uruguay in 2005, sending Australia to a World Cup, being confined to pay per view. Or, of course, if the Parramatta Eelsā inevitable 2021 Grand Final victory was only broadcast on Fox or Kayo.
These are culturally significant events for the vast majority of Australians, and they should be accessible to all Australians.
Local Content Quotas:
Labor supports the local jobs Hollywood productions bring ā but they mustnāt come at the expense of our local creators and our local stories. The Government has been reviewing the screen content rules for over four years.
Meanwhile Labor has been calling on the Government to āMake It Australianā and apply Australian content obligations to streaming services like Netflix.
Michelle Rowland sworn in as new Communications Minister | TV Tonight
Australia has a new minister leading regulation in the screen sector.
tvtonight.com.au
