Regional TV needs long-term support, not shuffling of the deckchairs

Media Release 26 June 2024 Regional TV needs long-term support, not shuffling of the deckchairs The closure of Mildura Digital Television signals that regional television in Australia is at a critical point. [...] Regional Australians are starting to lose access to television services and the ongoing availability of local trusted news, local advertising opportunities for regional businesses and Australian content in regional areas is at stake. [...] Yet despite the public interest benefits they deliver; Australian commercial television broadcasters pay the highest spectrum taxes in the world which is a significant impost on their ability to fund content and infrastructure costs. [...] The tax was introduced as a temporary measure in 2017 and should have been abandoned years ago.” “The solutions to keeping the lights on for regional TV are squarely in the hands and control of the Albanese Government, Ms Fair said. [...] Amend the Prominence and Anti-Siphoning Bill to ensure that all Australians can watch their live and free sport no matter how they get their free TV, and can find their local TV services on their current TV sets without needing to buy a new one.