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This Digest was prepared for debate. It reflects the legislation as
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CONTENTS
Passage History
Purpose of Legislation
Background
Main Provisions
Contact Officer and Copyright Details
National Transmission Network Sale
(Consequential Amendments) Bill 1998
Date Introduced: 25 November 1998
House: Senate
Portfolio: Communications, Information Technology and the
Arts
Commencement: On Royal Assent
This Bill amends the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act
1983, the Radiocommunications Act 1992, and the
Special Broadcasting Service Act 1991.
These proposed amendments, together with those
proposed in the National Transmission Network Sale Bill 1998,
provide the necessary framework for the sale of Australia's
National Transmission Network (NTN).
The reader is referred to the background
material in the Bills Digest prepared for the National
Transmission Network Sale Bill 1998.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Act 1983
Clause 5 of Schedule
1 provides the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC)
with the following additional powers to:
-
- produce, promote and present programs, or arrange or provide
facilities to do so
-
- transmit programs or other matter, or arrange or provide
facilities to do so
Clause 6 repeals the technical
services provisions of the Act. They relate to the:
-
- provision of transmitting stations and technical equipment
-
- transfer of assets
-
- use by the corporation of satellite systems, and
-
- lines for conveyance of electric current to transmitting
stations.
Clause 7 provides a mechanism
by which the Minister can direct the Australian Broadcasting
Authority (ABA) to conduct an investigation into the possible
degradation of the quality of signal reception of the ABC. However,
a person must first complain to the ABC. If no response is
forthcoming within 60 days, this provision becomes operative.
Clause 8 adds an item to the
list of matters, which must be included in the ABC's annual report.
This extra item requires particulars of any significant changes in
the transmission coverage, or transmission quality of national
broadcasting services provided by the ABC.
Radio Communications Act
1992
At present, the Commonwealth, in its capacity as
provider of transmission services, holds the national broadcasting
service (NBS) licence under section 100 of the
Radiocommunications Act to operate transmitters for the
purpose of providing national broadcasting services. Following the
sale of the NTN, the national broadcasters, rather than the NTN
owners, will hold the licences under section 100.
Clause10 amends section 100 to
provide that a NBS licence may only be held by the ABC, SBS or the
Commonwealth.
Clause 13 provides that a NBS
licence cannot be transferred to any person other than the ABC, SBS
or the Commonwealth.
Special Broadcasting Service Act
1991
Clause 19 provides a mechanism
by which the Minister can direct the Australian Broadcasting
Authority (ABA) to conduct an investigation into the possible
degradation of the quality of signal reception of the SBS. However,
a person must first complain to the SBS. If no response is
forthcoming within 60 days, this provision becomes operative.
Clause 22 adds an item to the
list of matters, which must be included in the SBS's annual report.
This extra item requires particulars of any significant changes
during the year in the transmission coverage, or transmission
quality of national broadcasting services provided by the SBS.
Ross Kilmurray
4 December 1998
Bills Digest Service
Information and Research Services
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ISSN 1328-8091
© Commonwealth of Australia 1998
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Published by the Department of the Parliamentary Library,
1998.
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