Chapter 1 - Introduction

Referral to the committee

1.1        On 3 March 2011, the Senate referred the provisions of the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill 2011 (the bill) to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 21 March 2011.[1]

1.2        On 4 March 2011, the committee advertised the inquiry on its website and wrote to relevant organisations inviting submissions. The committee received 19 submissions (see Appendix 1). The committee held a public hearing in Brisbane on 15 March 2011 (participants listed at Appendix 2). The committee thanks those who contributed to the inquiry. In particular the committee acknowledges that due to the short timeframes of this inquiry—including the submission due date, the Brisbane public hearing and response time to questions taken on notice—submitters and witnesses were required to contribute at extremely short notice.

Purpose of the bill

1.3        The switchover from analog to digital television will make available significant amounts of high-value radiofrequency spectrum, known as the 'digital dividend'. The Australian Government has described the digital dividend as a 'once-in-a-generation opportunity' to reallocate the freed-up spectrum to encourage the introduction of new digital services and improve existing services.[2]

1.4        To maximise the size and utility of the digital dividend, the government will reorganise or 'restack' existing digital broadcasting services to clear a large, contiguous block of spectrum. The government's intention is that this spectrum will be auctioned in the second half of 2012 and made available towards the end of 2014.[3]

1.5        The purpose of the bill is to provide the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) with the planning and enforcement powers necessary to perform the task of restacking. In addition, the bill contains provisions to progress the digital television switchover, primarily by improving the regulatory framework for free-to-air digital television services provided by satellite.[4]

Report structure

1.6        This report is divided into two substantive chapters. Chapter 2 outlines the policy and regulatory context within which the proposed legislation will operate, and identifies the key provisions of the bill. Chapter 3 discusses the issues raised during the committee's inquiry in respect of individual provisions of the bill.

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