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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 7 Hansard (5 June) . . Page.. 1950 ..

MR SPEAKER (continuing):

So in this case, Mr Cornwell, I would just ask you to consider your position in relation to the matter. As I said, I think it is an offensive word, but I just ask you to consider your position in relation to the matter and consider withdrawing it.

Mr Cornwell: Mr Speaker, I did not use the term once. I used it twice. I am happy to unreservedly withdraw, if that is the view of yourself and indeed the Assembly. I accept that we do have to have standards here, and I certainly unreservedly withdraw.

MR SPEAKER: Thank you, Mr Cornwell.

Blue Gum School

MR STEFANIAK: Mr Speaker, pursuant to standing order 127 and at the request of Mr Steve Pratt, I fix the next day of sitting for moving this motion.

Commercial radio services

MR HARGREAVES (4.01): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes that there are only four commercial radio services operating in Canberra;

(2) expresses concern at the concentration of ownership and the lack of diversity in the commercial radio market in Canberra;

(3) is disappointed that Canberra was the only major regional market not to be allocated a new commercial radio licence in the recent ABA licence allocations;

(4) notes that at least one party has expressed interest in providing an additional commercial radio service to Canberra; and

(5) supports the provision of at least one additional commercial radio licence for Canberra.

Mr Speaker, there are currently only four commercial radio services operating in Canberra: two on the AM band (1053 2CA and 1206 2CC) and two on the FM band (MIX 106.3 and FM 104.7). With thanks to former 2CC DJ Wayne Mac for his historical notes, I would like to spend a moment looking at the history of commercial radio in Canberra and how we have arrived at this oligopoly.

2CA had the Canberra commercial radio market to itself until late 1975, when 2CC appeared. It was initially part of Macquarie Radio Network. During the 1960s and early 1970s 2CA was like most stations that were a sole commercial operation, with a mix of all styles of music, from light classical to country and western, sport and you name it.

Famous people who worked at 2CA over the years include James Dibble, Brian Bury, Steve Leibmann, Holger Brockman, John Stanley, now heard on 2CC in the afternoon slot, Brian Wilshire, Peter Bosley, John Blackman-this is not elder abuse-and Richard Perno, who is doing an excellent job on the 2CC breakfast show these days.

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