088/06
13 September 2006

The Government will tomorrow introduce legislation into Parliament to give effect to key elements of its media reform proposals, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan announced today.

It is the Government’s expectation that the Senate will follow the usual process and refer the package of Bills to the Senate Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts – Standing Committee for inquiry and report by Thursday 5 October 2006.

The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2006, Television Licence Fees Amendment Bill 2006 and Broadcasting Services Amendment (Media Ownership) Bill 2006 will be introduced into the Senate.

The Communications Legislation Amendment (Enforcement Powers) Bill 2006 will be introduced into the House of Representatives, as it contains appropriation measures.

“These Bills contain the major planks of the Government’s media reform package including proposed changes to the cross media and foreign ownership provisions,” Senator Coonan said.

“Also contained in the Bills are measures to implement changes to the regulatory regime for digital television, several changes to the operation of the anti-siphoning scheme and measures to move the power to allocate new commercial television licences from the regulator – the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) – to the Government.

“The Bill to be introduced into the House of Representatives will implement already announced changes in relation to ACMA’s enforcement powers.

“I welcome the opportunity for all issues relating to these important reforms to be considered by the Senate Committee and I encourage all interested stakeholders to make submissions as appropriate.

“I look forward to reviewing the Committee’s report at the appropriate time and acknowledge the interest of my colleagues in ensuring Australian consumers are best placed to take advantage of the digital age and the benefits that this legislation will enable,” Senator Coonan said.

Legislation to give effect to the Government’s announcement that it will allocate two channels of currently available spectrum for new digital services will be introduced shortly.