Stephen Conroy | April 03, 2008
IT is understandable that media commentators such as Mark Day, who have witnessed more than a decade of policy paralysis and complacency under the previous government, are keen to see fundamental change in the sector.
So is the Rudd Government. At the election last November, Labor outlined plans for change in areas such as the national broadband network, digital television switch-over, cyber safety, and ABC and SBS board reform.
In government, we are working through these issues systematically. In just four months, considerable progress has been made. Much effort has been placed on the national broadband network to meet our pre-election commitments. Given the digital revolution sweeping the communications sector, media policy cannot be viewed as independent to broadband infrastructure.
Already, millions of Australians are using broadband to become more efficient and express themselves in new ways. They are using broadband to download podcasts, read newspapers and blogs, and to watch videos, TV programs and films.
Enhanced broadband infrastructure is required for consumers to enjoy the benefits of the new media environment.
However, the Government's communications policy does not end with the national broadband network: it is one plank and the enabling infrastructure on which much of Australia's communications will be distributed and accessed in the future.
To this end, last week I announced $37.9 million in funding for clear, targeted programs and a framework to assist the transition to digital TV.
The Rudd Government has achieved more in four months in relation to digital TV switch-over than the previous government managed in seven years.
The digital switch-over could be the largest national format change since the introduction of decimal currency in 1966. Digital TV is an inevitability, not an option. Globally, the media industry is well on the way to digitising its production chain. It is vital the Government ensures that Australia is best placed in the digital world and that consumers are kept informed and aware of the change.
The importance of a body to manage digital switch-over has long been supported by Labor.
The previous government announced it would establish Digital Australia to undertake this task in November 2006. However, it did not announce the group's chief until July 2007 and it did not open its doors until August last year, little more than eight weeks before the election.
Digital Australia was simply a stunt by the previous government to cover a lack of policy in this important area.
In December last year the Government established the digital switch-over taskforce. The taskforce has been funded to manage and co-ordinate the transition to digital to meet Labor's firm switch-over date of December 31, 2013.
In addition to leadership in this area, broadcasters have been crying out for the tools to help them get this right. That's why the Government has allocated $4.8million for a digital tracker to establish exactly where efforts should be applied. Put simply, little is known of consumer attitudes to digital TV. The digital tracker, with targeted and geographically relevant research, will turn that around. The digital tracker was not funded by the previous government.
There are also technical challenges ahead on the path to digital TV. The Australian Communications and Media Authority will receive $8.5 million to investigate issues including signal strength and black spots. This work will form the basis for a comprehensive understanding of digital terrestrial reception in marginal areas and provide an evidence base for black spot remediation efforts.
Another $1 million will be spent to identify the scope of issues and to help the industry identify and implement appropriate solutions to digital reception problems in multi-unit dwellings with shared TV antenna systems.
Of course, no project of this scale can be undertaken without a co-ordinated campaign. The Government has allocated $6.7million not just to develop a promotional logo but to develop a communications strategy and materials to build consumer and retailer awareness and understanding about the switch-over process and digital technology.
Consumers need to be left in no doubt as to what equipment will meet their needs.
While the lack of public awareness was noted by the previous government, no consumer information was funded by it to rectify this situation.
Digital TV will deliver substantial direct benefits for consumers, including better service quality, interactive features and greater viewing choices.
Indirect benefits will also be delivered through the realisation of the digital dividend: the spectrum freed from the closure of analog TV transmission. Commentators suggest that each of these programs were in place under the previous government. This is not the case. That government, while paying lip service to digital TV and new media, did little to ensure its success.
Questions have also been raised about the future of digital channels A and B. These questions have doubtless arisen because of frustration at the previous government's inaction. Channels A and B were proposed by the then minister in 2006 as a means to drive digital take-up but, again, it was all talk and no action. Despite indications by the previous government that the auctions for channels A and B were ready to proceed in late 2007, they were never held.
Indeed, there were - and remain - serious technical and policy issues that must be resolved for the auctions of channels A and B to proceed.
These issues are being evaluated by my department.
As minister, my highest priority is to deliver to the Australian people world-class communications. It is of critical importance that we get this right, and ensure Australia is driving on the digital highway rather than meandering along the goat track legacy left by the previous government.