055/05
18 May 2005

Call for submissions—review of high definition television quota

Organisations and individuals with an interest in the future of high definition television (HDTV) can make a submission to an issues paper released today on quota requirements, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, said today.

The Australian Government is conducting a series of reviews to shape a suitable regulatory framework for digital broadcasting, including HDTV.

The paper released today— A review into high definition television quota arrangements —sets out the context for assessing the provision of digital HDTV broadcast services in metropolitan, regional and remote areas of Australia.

“Free-to-air broadcasters in metropolitan and regional licence areas are currently required to provide at least 1040 hours of HDTV programs each year, which is monitored by the Australian Broadcasting Authority,” Senator Coonan said.

“The Australian Government has set up this review to consider issues such as whether HDTV quotas are still necessary and, if so, whether any changes should be made to the quota levels, obligations and reporting requirements.

“More broadly, it will provide an opportunity to assess the need for changes in the regulation of HDTV transmissions.”

So that a wide range of views and interests will be taken into account, stakeholders and interested members of the community are invited to participate in the digital TV reviews by responding to the issues paper.

The issues paper is available online by following the link under ‘key issues’ at www.dcita.gov.au

The website provides advice on how to make submissions in response to the issues paper, which should be forwarded to the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts by 24 June 2005.