REGIONAL TELEVISION SERVICES

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (14:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Regional Development a question about regional television news services.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: Members would have heard late yesterday that WIN Television Network will cut its news bulletins in both the Riverland and Mount Gambier. Like a number of honourable members in this chamber and many members past, my understanding of the events in the world around me were shaped by local regional news—in particular, Channel 8. Can the minister explain how significant the loss of these bulletins will be for these two regional areas?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (14:45): I thank the honourable member for his most important question and his ongoing interest, particularly in the South-East. As mentioned, we have all heard by now that the WIN TV Network is closing its doors on two of its TV news programs. Both Mount Gambier and the Riverland TV news bulletins, we have been advised, will end. While the network has not released a public statement, there has been no comment to the contrary, so it appears that both of these TV programs will stop production. This loss is extremely disappointing for the regional community who rely on these programs for part of their news. Of course, it is also terrible news for those reporters, camera operators and staff who work in the newsrooms. Job losses in the regions always have a negative impact on tight-knit communities.

This loss will leave an enormous gap in regional media. We all turn to the TV news and learn what is happening in our backyard and also to learn about the people in our communities who are making news. With the shift in some media away from local content, particularly on weekends, learning about local news is becoming even more difficult. South Australia's regional communities are no different, and now it will become more difficult for people in the South-East and the Riverland to learn about daily developments in their local communities.

This news leaves just one regional network, Southern Cross TV, covering the Far North and West of the state's regional television news. I have been advised that we have one regional network left in all of regional South Australia, and I think that is a real tragedy. There is now a massive gap in local regional content for television news in the South-East and the Riverland areas of South Australia. In my time as Minister for Regional Development, I have enjoyed my relationship with the television reporters who work in regional TV newsrooms.

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: You feature prominently in the bloopers each year.

The PRESIDENT: And you don't?

The Hon. D.W. Ridgway: No.

The PRESIDENT: You don't feature?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO: I have always been impressed with how supportive regional media are of local businesses. Regional reporters are always the first to chase a story about one of their own and these stories often make their way into metropolitan media.

This news is also extremely disappointing for the news staff who put together bulletins. I have enjoyed watching the level of enthusiasm and dedication that regional reporters demonstrate when they are out gathering news. Regional television reporters are often a one-stop show. They are multiskilled and run the whole lot themselves, generally. Many of them are trained to put an entire news package together from scratch and this means that they often conduct interviews, write their own stories, film and edit vision, and then put their stories to air.

One of my first experiences when being interviewed by a regional reporter has stayed with me vividly. I will not forget the level of professionalism that this young woman had when she was interviewing me. She was truly a one-stop shop. She arrived carrying large amounts of equipment (a heavy camera and tripod, microphone and lighting). She set everything up, she conducted the interview whilst recording it. She knew the subject really well, she had researched the topic really well and conducted an excellent interview and went into quite a level of detail that was impressive. I could tell that she had prepared and researched the topic thoroughly. So I have enormous admiration for the way these reporters have to work and the amazing quality of their work as well, even when I am on the receiving end occasionally. Obviously that is how media is often carried out in these regional centres. It is carried out by very resourceful and multiskilled people, who are very passionate about what they do and the communities they work in.

These jobs are also seen as important training opportunities for multiskilling young journalists, who become highly sought after in newsrooms all around Australia. Some of our newsreaders and news people have become quite famous around Australia and overseas as well. The news of these changes is very disappointing for everyone concerned, and it is obviously a real blow for the Riverland and the South-East in particular.