ABA - NR31/2003

19 May 2003

ABA receives 16 applications for community television licences in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has received a total of 16 applications for community television licences in Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Three applications were received for the Brisbane licence, two for the Melbourne licence, five for the Perth licence, and six for the Sydney licence.

The applicants are:

Copies of applications received will also be made available for public perusal in the following libraries: Brisbane Central City Library (Brisbane applications only); State Library of Victoria, Melbourne (Melbourne applications only); State Library of Western Australia, Perth (Perth applications only) and the City of Sydney Library, Town Hall House, Sydney (Sydney applications only).

The ABA welcomes written submissions from members of the public in relation to the applications received. Submissions should be lodged with the ABA by 5.00 pm on Monday 9 June 2003. Submissions can also be lodged via email to info@aba.gov.au. Copies of any letters of support included with applications and subsequent support letters received by the ABA will not be displayed on the web site or in libraries but can be made available for inspection on request. Anyone who has concerns about public access to their personal details should advise the ABA to treat this information as confidential.

Media contact Donald Robertson, ABA Manager Media and PR on (02) 9334 7980

Backgrounder

In 1992, the Government asked the ABA to conduct a trial of community television (CTV) using the vacant sixth television channel (UHF channel 31 in capital cities) in Australia. As the ABA did not have the power to issue temporary community television licences it made the channel available for fixed periods for non-profit community/educational open narrowcasting services. CTV services have been provided on a trial basis since 1994 under the open narrowcasting class licence.

A review of the CTV trial, conducted under Schedule 4 to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 (the Act) was tabled in Parliament in June 2002.

As a result of the issues raised in the review, the Act has recently been amended. The new framework for CTV licences introduces requirements aimed at improving the financial and management capacity and accountability of CTV licensees. It also assists the revenue raising ability of the CTV sector. The new measures are intended to balance the need for ongoing financial viability of the CTV sector with the need to ensure that the sector maintains its community and not-for-profit nature.

Allocation of community broadcasting licences

Community licences can be allocated only if the ABA makes new community broadcasting services available in an area following its planning process and the release of a licence area plan.

Applications received will be made available for public comment. Written comments on applications must be lodged with the ABA within 14 days (generally) of the date the ABA provides them to the public libraries.

The ABA will decide if a licence is to be allocated and in the case of competing applicants, to which applicant. The ABA will allocate these licences on the basis of the merits of applicants and their proposed services and, where necessary, on their comparative merits.

In assessing applications the ABA will have regard to matters set out in the Act. These matters include:

• whether the proposed service meets the definition of a community broadcasting service;
• whether the applicant is a 'company' and represents a community interest;
• whether the allocation is subject to any Ministerial 'priority direction';
• the needs and interests of the community and the extent to which the applicant's proposed service would meet those needs and interests;
• the applicants capacity to provide the proposed service; and matters related to the control of the licence.