Media Release

Opposition backdown clears picture on digital television future

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today welcomed the Oppositions backdown on threats to Australias digital television transition.

Australia now has certainty that digital television will be rolled out in a considered, strategic way and that all analog viewers have access to digital signals, Senator Conroy said.

After eight years of inertia under the previous Government, the Rudd Government is acting decisively to ensure digital television for all Australian analog television viewers.

Opposition amendments to the Digital Television Switchover Bill 2008 threatened to sabotage and delay digital switchover. Today they have backed down, allowing the Bill to pass.

This legislation, the last to pass in 2008, paves the way for the upgrade of essential national communications infrastructure for the 21st century.

The Rudd Government has set a firm date for the switch-off of analog television signals on 31 December 2013 and has committed to consultation and transparency as we make the digital transition.

Work is already underway on the Digital Tracker research program, which will provide quarterly reports on regional switchover trends. In addition, the Government will publish progress reports on signal blackspots.

We have developed a strategic timetable for digital television switchover in close consultation with the broadcasting industry. The Victorian region surrounding Mildura, which leads the nation with digital TV take-up, will lead with analog switch-off in the first half of 2010. Other regions will follow.

Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it not only provides access to better picture and sound quality, and additional channels, but it will also free-up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services.

Date: 5 December 2008
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457