Community TV

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:59): My question is directed to the Minister for The Arts.

An honourable member: Yarts.

The Hon. S.W. KEY: I said 'arts'.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.W. KEY: 'Yarts', yes. Minister, what is the importance of community TV and how have you responded to the uncertainty facing Adelaide-based Channel 44?

The SPEAKER: The cultural attaché.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:59): I thank the member for Ashford for her question. Community TV plays an incredibly important role on our free-to-air television broadcasting spectrum. It allows for young up-and-coming screen and media students to gain valuable experience, as well as old hands who just want a platform to showcase their passions.

In an increasingly Eastern States-centred media landscape, Channel 44 provides a unique opportunity for South Australians to tell and, importantly, to document our own stories. Already this year, Channel 44 has been an integral part of our arts community, participating in the Adelaide Fringe Festival, the DreamBIG festival, the Cabaret Festival, and they have an incredible program planned for the upcoming SALA Festival. Their presence allows people who are not able to attend to still feel connected, as well as providing a valuable opportunity to promote these festivals.

In 2014, as federal communications minister, Malcolm Turnbull announced that he would be flicking the switch on community TV, with their broadcasting rights to end from 2015. This deadline has since been extended until the end of last year and then to last Friday 30 June. Following a concerted effort by Channel 44, their Victorian counterparts, Channel 31, and Perth's WTV, as well as lobbying by the federal shadow spokesperson for communications, Michelle Rowland, the Western Australian arts minister, David Templeman, and the Victorian Minister for Innovation, Philip Dalidakis, and from me, we last week saw the extension of the community television spectrum until the end of the year.

While the federal government spouts their desire to use the spectrum to test new technologies, this rolling stay of execution proves that the appetite doesn't exist. The federal government has also previously touted the NBN as an excuse to send these stations online, but to date is completely behind with the rollout and failing to provide the speed and accessibility that they promised.

Since the level of uncertainty first became known in 2014, Channel 44 has built an online platform and app, which will enable it to continue to show South Australian content if and when they are switched off. However, as their general manager, Lauren Hillman, explained to me last night, there are a huge number of viewers who simply do not have internet access or the technology capability to watch the content in this way. They are also at risk of a revenue shortfall in the millions, resulting from sponsorship uncertainty over their online presence, with no support provided by the federal government to help solidify their business cases.

While I welcome this extension, I, along with the teams at Channel 44, Channel 31 and WTV, as well as my interstate and federal parliamentary colleagues, will continue to fight for community TV to have its place on the free-to-air spectrum for a longer time to ensure that South Australian stories continue to be accessible to a broad and diverse audience.