Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity
Digital TV household assistance switched on in Mildura
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced the launch of the Government’s Digital Switchover Household Assistance Scheme in Mildura, Victoria.
"For most people, making the switch to digital television is straightforward and inexpensive," Senator Conroy said.
"However, the Government recognises that some Australians, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities and their carers, may require assistance to switch to digital TV."
"The assistance scheme will help eligible households in the Mildura television licence area access digital broadcasts in their homes," Senator Conroy said.
A household will be eligible for the scheme where one or more of its residents are in receipt of the maximum rate of the:
- Age Pension,
- Disability Support Pension,
- Carer Payment, or
- Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) Service Pension or the DVA income-support supplement payment.
Under the Household Assistance Scheme, eligible households will receive:
- supply, installation and demonstration of a high-definition set-top box, and
- any necessary antenna and cabling work, if required.
"The high-definition set-top box will be specifically chosen to ensure that it meets the needs of the elderly and people with a disability," Senator Conroy said.
In-home technical assistance for those eligible households in the Mildura region to get ready for digital TV will be provided by Techlife working with Hills Industries.
"Approximately 7,000 potentially-eligible households in the Sunraysia/Mildura TV licence area have received letters inviting them to contact Centrelink if they want to participate in the Household Assistance Scheme," Andy Townend, Executive Director of the Government’s Digital Switchover Taskforce said.
More information about the Household Assistance Scheme is available online at www.digitalready.gov.au or call 1800 556 443
Date: 21 January 2010
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
