The Rudd Government today announced a pilot package to drive the availability of improved television services as Australia makes the transition to digital.
“Digital television delivers many benefits to viewers and this package will help achieve the smoothest possible transition as we switch-off analog signals,” said Senator Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.
“This package focuses on Australia’s leading digital television region of Sunraysia, centred on the city of Mildura in north-west Victoria, and will ensure that free-to-air digital television is made available to all viewing households.”
The suite of measures includes:
* A package of in-home assistance to help targeted households;
* A new satellite service to extend access to digital TV;
* working with the local community to improve awareness and understanding of switchover;
* a labelling scheme to help consumers to easily identify digital ready products; and
* a national call centre and a web site providing switchover information;
The Rudd Government has designed a progressive timetable for digital television switchover starting with Sunraysia in 2010.
“The Government aims to empower the community with the information they require to make the digital television switch.
“We will introduce a labelling scheme to help people identify digital-ready products and services, and we will run an information campaign in the region.”
“Switching to digital TV is a straight forward and inexpensive task for the vast majority of Australians, however we understand that some viewers may need practical, in-home assistance to make the move to digital.”
“That is why the Government will provide an assistance package to households in the Mildura licence area where at least one resident is a recipient of the full Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carers’ Payment or equivalent payment from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs.”
The pilot switchover package also includes the establishment of a new satellite service, which, with the cooperation of broadcasters, will extend viewer access to digital TV throughout the Mildura licence area.
“Some Australians live in areas where the broadcasters have not built transmitters or the terrain prevents signals reaching them, but this is no reason for them to be denied access to TV” Senator Conroy said.
Senator Conroy said the Digital Switchover Taskforce will work closely with the broadcasters, retailers and antenna installers in the Mildura area to drive digital TV take-up by consumers.
The lessons learned from the switchover in Mildura will help to inform the approach to the broader digital switchover around the country.
“Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it not only provides access to better picture and sound quality, and additional channels, but it will also free-up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services,” Senator Conroy said.
Media Statement
29th January 2009
Stephen Conroy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
The Minister for Home Affairs, Bob Debus, today announced the appointment of Roger Beale AO to conduct a Federal Audit of Police Capabilities in line with the Government’s election commitment.
“The Australian Federal Police have had to meet increasing demands in recent years and it’s important we take a comprehensive look at its resources and how it can meet the Government’s priorities into the future.
“The audit will also examine the effectiveness of the AFP’s human resources, workforce planning, equipment and technology and current funding.”
Mr Beale has extensive experience working at senior levels of government and on national and environmental policy.
The audit will provide an opportunity for the States and Territories to have input through the Australia New Zealand Policing Advisory Agency, ANZPAA, a policy body led by Police Commissioners.
The chief executive of the Police Federation of Australia, Mark Burgess, welcomed the announcement.
“This audit is a vital step in a wider pre-election commitment from the ALP on national police workforce planning issues.
“The PFA calls upon all police jurisdictions and governments to play an active role in the process.”
It expected Mr Beale will begin the audit in early February. Mr Beale will be supported by a team drawn from the AFP and relevant agencies and will report to the Government by 30 June 2009.
Media Statement
29th January 2009
Bob Debus
Minister for Home Affairs
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP, has welcomed the release of exposure draft legislation to support the establishment of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO).
The creation of AEMO, which will require amendment to the National Electricity and Gas Laws and National Electricity and Gas Rules, will implement the decision of the Council of Australian Governments in April 2007 to strengthen the national character of energy market governance arrangements. The National Gas Law and Rule amendments released yesterday complement the National Electricity Law and Rule amendments released on 19 December 2008.
Minister Ferguson said: "These amendments are essential to the formation of AEMO, a national institution to operate Australia's energy markets. AEMO will create efficiencies in Australia's energy markets and will enhance their competitiveness by taking on new functions, including the National Transmission Planner and the production of an annual gas statement of opportunities."
AEMO will operate gas and electricity markets in all jurisdictions except in Western Australia and the Northern Territory.
Minister Ferguson said: "The Ministerial Council on Energy, comprising Ministers with responsibility for energy from the Australian Government and all States and Territories, is committed to ensuring AEMO is operational by mid-2009. Consultation on the exposure drafts is a key step in achieving this goal."
Stakeholders are invited to provide comments on the proposed electricity and gas legislative amendments. A public forum was held yesterday to receive initial stakeholder comments on the electricity amendments and a similar forum will be held for the gas amendments on 3 February 2009.
"These are essential reforms that will have a lasting impact on Australian energy supply. I urge all interested parties to become involved in the public consultation process," Minister Ferguson said.
Media Statement
22nd January 2009
Martin Ferguson
Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism
Kevin Rudd has today called on employers to refrain from sacking staff as a result of the economic downturn.
Will the Prime Minister give the same commitment to protect the job security of public servants as he is asking of private employers?
“It would be nothing short of hypocrisy if Kevin Rudd refuses to protect the jobs of Australia’s public servants, after calling on the private sector to save jobs,” Opposition spokesman for Employment Participation, Andrew Southcott said today.
“We’ve already seen the ATO make 133 non-ongoing staff redundant before their contracts were due to conclude. Other Federal agencies and departments are set to follow suit.
“Yet, the public service job cuts cannot be attributed to the global financial crisis. The entire blame for these job cuts rests solely with Labor’s razor gang.
“As the Chief Bureaucrat in charge of the Australian Public Service, the buck stops with Kevin Rudd. Once again, it’s a matter of ‘don’t look at what Kevin Rudd says, look at what he does’.”
Dr Andrew Southcott MP
Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Training and Sport
20th January 2009
The Parliamentary Public Works Committee will conduct hearings on $793 million worth of new facilities proposed by Defence for Lavarack Barracks, Townsville, RAAF Base Amberley, Brisbane , and six other locations to support the needs of Enhanced Land Force Stage 1.
The project proposes to provide accommodation and training facilities and site infrastructure upgrades, primarily to support the relocation of the 3 rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment from Sydney to Townsville. It is proposed that accommodation facilities be provided at Kapooka, Singleton, Holsworthy and Puckapunyal and joint facilities provided at RAAF Bases Amberley, Edinburgh and Richmond.
Chair of the Committee, Mark Butler MP , welcomes public participation in the inquiry. ‘This project proposes a significant investment for a number of Defence bases around the country,’ Mr Butler said, ‘it is important that the community has their say on these developments. The Committee needs to know if local residents will be impacted by these proposals to ensure that they are in the best interests of the whole community.’
The Committee will be conducting a public hearing on the proposal in Townsville on
22 January 2009 and is inspecting a number of sites proposed for development. ‘The Committee will use this hearing to assure itself of the worth of the proposed project across all locations and to ensure that Defence can address concerns raised with the Committee by the public’ Mr Butler said.
Public Hearing 12.30pm, Thursday, 22 January 2009
Venue: Garden Room C, Mercure Inn, Woodcock Street, Townsville
APH Media Release
19th January 2009
Craig Hill
KC Hill
Paladin
Oracle of Delphi
Add Comments
Comments (1)
