Senate passes motion in support of community radio

On 22 June 2017, a motion was passed in the Senate supporting community radio’s important role in providing a platform for diverse voices in an increasingly consolidated media landscape.

Senators Hinch, Ludlam, Xenophon and Lambie moved that the Government should increase funding for community digital radio to $4.5m per annum in 2018/19 and commit to funding at that level on an ongoing basis.

Senator Hinch welcomed this critical support:

"I am thrilled that the Senate backed my motion to not only increase funds to vital community radio in 2018-19 but to ensure that the funding is ongoing. That means community radio won’t have to go cap-in-hand every year like Oliver for his bowl of gruel in Oliver Twist."

"I had a successful career in commercial radio for a long time but I also know the value TO the community OF community radio. You provide information, entertainment, cultural awareness and education, to more than five million diverse Australians a week. You reach Indigenous Australians, the LGBTI community, migrants, refugees, the elderly. And you give a chance for local musicians to get their material out there in a forum not provided by the commercials. Not to mention giving a start to people like my younger doppelganger Paul Murray!"

This funding would provide community radio with greater certainty and stability as DAB+ digital radio continues to grow in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane, and expands to Canberra, Darwin, Hobart and beyond.