Page 3182 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 11 September 1991
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
ethnic communities, that they cherish that right very sincerely. I am almost ashamed to say that they often take much more care in the casting of their vote than those of us who have been brought up with the obligation that if we do not vote we will get fined. That, unfortunately, is a common sentiment right throughout the dinkum Aussie community, if we can call it that.
I support the motion entirely. I think it is something that is long overdue. I think that all members of this Assembly will look forward to a further enrichment of the lives of Canberrans when this broadcasting service is introduced.
MR JENSEN (12.27): Mr Speaker, the need for a broadcasting service for the ethnic community within the ACT is not disputed. However, there are a couple of important issues that should be considered. It is not the fact that a radio licence for the ethnic community is not required and not needed. I have contacts with existing operators at the moment. I must declare an interest here because I have had some discussions and direct involvement with Canberra Stereo Public Radio. As I understand it, there is, in fact, only one licence to be allocated in 1993. The question really is: What is the need and the requirement in the ACT for additional licences?
My understanding is that Canberra Stereo Public Radio, for example, are currently operating 28 days a year, which is all they are allowed to operate under the current Act. They have been operating, as I understand it, since 1983-84. They were an applicant for a licence that was given to 2SSSFM, which I believe was given the right to broadcast races at a time, I think, when the ABC racing service was taken off the air. Of course, they have now come back on again and are broadcasting races.
It is quite clear, as I understand it, that there is a need, a demonstrated need, for an ethnic broadcasting service, which, as Mrs Grassby and my colleague Dr Kinloch have already said, currently operates off 2XX. I understand that one of the problems there is the large number of languages that are required to be given air time on that station. My advice is that there have been some difficulties in enabling that coverage to take place because 2XX has other issues as well.
The point really should be that maybe the motion requires reconsideration and some change; maybe this Assembly should put pressure on the Federal Ministers responsible for this matter to consider increasing the number of licences available. I understand that just very recently a Christian broadcasting organisation transmitted a broadcast over the airwaves. I am not aware of the ethnic broadcasters currently operating any specific services, other than via 2XX. The point is that we have an organisation like Canberra Stereo Public Radio that has been operating now for some years. It seems to me that we have a difficult problem.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .