Publications

The Bill was introduced by Senator Nick Xenophon on 13 February 2017. On 16 February 2017, the Senate referred the Bill to the committee for inquiry and report by 10 May 2017. This was later extended to 9 August2017. The Bill proposes to amend the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983 to require the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to restore its shortwave transmission services. The ABC ceased shortwave transmission services in the Northern Territory and to international audiences from 31 January2017.

On 21 March 2013, the Senate referred the following matters to the Committee for inquiry and report: The effectiveness of current regulatory arrangements in dealing (under the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Copyright Act 1968) with the simultaneous transmission of radio programs using the broadcasting services bands and the Internet (‘simulcast’), including: the impact of current regulation on stakeholders, including broadcasters, copyright holders, including both publishing and performance rights holders and the audience; and any related matter.

On 20 November 2012, the Managing Director of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), Mr Mark Scott AO, announced his proposal to close the ABC’s Hobart television production unit. On 27 November 2012, following the ABC’s announcement, the Senate referred the matter of the ABC’s commitment to reflecting and representing regional diversity in Australia to the Committee.

The Determination sets out the amount for the purposes outlined in paragraph 15(1)(d) of the Act (i.e. the amount determined to be ‘the estimated total amount of grants likely to be made during the financial year under section 593 of the Telecommunications Act 1997’) at $2,261,000 for 2017-18 financial year. A copy of the Determination can be found at https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L00060