Regional Television

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (14:55): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional television.

The Hon. K.J. Maher: What is this, Landline or something?

Leave granted.

The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Wrong network. The ABC reported today, or indeed yesterday, that the WIN network will cease broadcasting Seven Network channels to parts of regional SA from 1 July this year. Residents of Mount Gambier, Loxton and the Riverland will not be able to access free-to-air sports except through streaming services. The Seven Network have indicated that regional communities will still be able to access some service through a level of online streaming. However, digital connectivity is an ongoing issue in some regional areas, as noted in April by the District Council of Loxton Waikerie. I quote from their statement:

Council is continuing to voice its frustration over the ongoing issue of poor digital connectivity and black spots across the district, highlighting how this issue is affecting local communities.

My question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development therefore is: is the minister concerned about the lack of access to free-to-air sports for people living in regional communities, and what action is she taking to protect these free-to-air services?

The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his question. I did hear media reports, I think it was yesterday or maybe a couple of days ago, in regard to this matter. I was also listening to 5GTR FM, a local radio station in Mount Gambier, where they were discussing it.

As I think the announcer said, 'It's a bit rich when you can't even watch a game of footy on TV'—free-to-air TV obviously being the relevant point. I have heard WIN speak in very measured terms about this matter, indicating that they respect—I think they said words to the effect of—their negotiations with the Seven Network, which perhaps suggests that there are ongoing discussions happening around this, and obviously it is a private commercial matter.

I am not aware of any opportunity for government to have a role in that, but I will certainly speak to my colleagues in the other place if there is any opportunity to do so, but I am not currently aware of such a measure.