Senator the Hon Helen Coonan was Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts from 18 July 2004 to 3 December 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Senator Stephen Conroy is the current Minister for the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy

4 January 2007

$19 million for ABC Regional and Local programming

The Government will continue its support of the ABC’s Regional and Local Programming initiative, with funding of $19.1 million in 2008–09, to boost the national broadcaster’s capacity to provide locally relevant television and radio coverage.

“This funding demonstrates the Government’s commitment to ensuring the ABC can continue to provide local content for all Australians to enjoy, regardless of where they live,” Senator Coonan said.

Today’s announcement extends the Regional and Local Programming funding and aligns it with the ABC’s triennial funding which runs until the end of 2008–09.

Since it began in 2000–01, the initiative has commissioned 1,235 hours of television, an additional 9400 hours per year of new local radio content and funded four new regional radio studios.

It has also funded the creation of the Regional Production Fund, which has commissioned 533 hours of regional radio production from independent producers since late 2001.

“The new funding is in addition to the $13.2 million increase over three years that was announced in the 2006–07 Budget, and brings total funding for the programming initiative to more than $70 million over the triennium,” Senator Coonan said.

“In particular, this funding will support and strengthen the delivery of the ABC's services to regional Australia.”

This confirmation of continued funding for the Regional and Local Programming initiative comes on top of the new funding of $88.2 million over three years announced in the 2006–07 Budget.

This includes $45 million to help purchase new equipment to replace old or outdated technical equipment, $30 million to commission new Australian programs for television and radio and the additional $13 million to boost regional and local programming.

“Australian Government funding for the ABC is at record levels and over this triennium the ABC will receive more than $2.5 billion,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Howard Government’s financial commitment has been welcomed by its Board, with the former Chairman announcing the last triennial funding announcement was the best outcome for the ABC in more than 20 years.

“The Government’s commitment to high quality public broadcasting in this country is clear and backed up by generous funding.”