2004-2005-2006

THE PARLIAMENT OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

SENATE

BROADCASTING SERVICES AMENDMENT 
(MEDIA OWNERSHIP) BILL 2006

SUPPLEMENTARY EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Amendments and New Clauses to be Moved on Behalf of the Government

(Sheet Number QS396 – 
Amendments to Government Amendments on Sheet Number QS393)

(Circulated by authority of Senator the Hon. Helen Coonan, 
Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts)

GOVERNMENT AMENDMENTS TO THE 
BROADCASTING SERVICES AMENDMENT 
(MEDIA OWNERSHIP) BILL 2006
Amendment in Sheet QS393

The amendment in Sheet QS393 will include new section 43C in Part 4 of the BSA.  That new section will require the ACMA to impose a licence condition on regional commercial radio broadcasting licensees, with effect from 1 January 2008, that requires the licensee to broadcast a minimum level of material of local significance during daytime hours on business days.

The minimum level of material of local significance to be broadcast by regional commercial radio broadcasting licensees is set by default at 4.5 hours (see new subsection 43C(3)).  The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts may increase or decrease this figure by specifying a new minimum level in a disallowable instrument (new paragraphs 43C(3)(b) and (c)).  

New subsection 43C(4) would provide that the Minister must not specify a figure lower than 4.5 hours unless the Minister has caused to be conducted a review into whether the Minister should decrease the minimum level.  

This amendment (Sheet QS396)

This amendment replaces new subsection 43C(4) with new subsections 43C(4)-(4C).  

These new provisions will require the review of the appropriate minimum level(s) to be conducted before 30 June 2007 (new subsections 43C(4) and (4A)).  

Within 15 sitting days of the review report being completed, the Minister will be required to table both:

•	the report (new subsection 43C(4B)): and 

•	one or more legislative instruments under paragraph 43C(3)(b) or (c) specifying a new minimum level(s) (new subsection 43C(4C)).  

FINANCIAL IMPACT
The amendment is not expected to have any significant impact on Commonwealth expenditure or revenue.