Footnotes

Chapter 1 - Introduction

[1]        Journals of the Senate, 3 March 2011, p. 664.

[2]        Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Digital Dividend Green Paper (January 2010), p. iii.

[3]        Explanatory Memorandum, p. 2.

[4]        Explanatory Memorandum, p. 2.

Chapter 2 - Background

[1]        Television Broadcasting Services (Digital Conversion) Act 1998. For an overview of the rollout of digital television in Australia, see: Rhonda Jolly, 'Going digital: tracing the transition to digital terrestrial television in Australia', Parliamentary Library Research Paper No 7, 2010-11 (19 November 2010); Kim Jackson, 'Digital television and datacasting', Parliamentary Library E-Brief (16 June 2003).

[2]        Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Digital Switchover Date Confirmed', Media release, 18 December 2007.

[3]        Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Conroy Sets Digital Switchover Timetable', Media release, 19 October 2008.

[4]        DBCDE, Digital Television Switchover, http://www.dbcde.gov.au/television/digital_televison_switchover (accessed 3 March 2011).

[5]        ACMA, Digital Television, http://acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312245 (accessed 4 March 2011).

[6]        ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, Discussion Paper, February 2011, p. 6. (Note, however, the ACMA's statement expressly excluded the roll out of 'black-spot' or 'gap-filling' measures. These are mentioned subsequently in this chapter).

[7]        That is, the simultaneous transmission of analog and digital services until the former is switched off in accordance with the switchover schedule.

[8]        ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, Discussion Paper, February 2011, p. 6. See further, DBCDE, Digital TV Timetable by Region, http://www.dbcde.gov.au/television/digital_televison_switchover, (accessed 4 March 2011).

[9]        Schedule 4, subclause 6(3)(g) of the BSA. See further, ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, Discussion Paper, February 2011, p. 5.

[10]      These plans are referred to as Digital Channel Plans, which are made under two regulatory conversion schemes prescribed by the Schedule 4 of the BSA—the Commercial Television Conversion Scheme 1999 and the National Television Conversion Scheme 1999.  Under these schemes, broadcasters are required to prepare implementation plans for digital conversion and submit them to the ACMA for approval. The bill proposes that these schemes would be replaced by new Television Licence Area Plans, which will take effect before 31 December 2014 (Schedule 1, Item 6).

[11]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Digital Television Australia-Wide', Media release, 5 January 2011.

[12]      ACMA, The Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) Service, http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/1001/pc=PC_312409 (accessed 4 March 2011). VAST is generally made available to eligible viewers six months before digital switchover. Currently it is available to viewers in remote central and eastern Australia. It is expected that the VAST service will be available to viewers in Western Australia from early 2011, pending enactment of the bill.

[13]      Eligibility is determined in accordance with conditional access schemes developed by broadcasters and registered under the BSA: ACMA, Conditional Access Schemes, http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=IND_REG_CODES_BCAST (accessed 4 March 2011).

[14]      DBCDE, Satellite Subsidy Scheme, http://www.digitalready.gov.au/Govt-Assistance/Satellite-Subsidy-Scheme.aspx (accessed 4 March 2011).

[15]      DBCDE, Digital Switchover: Satellite Subsidy Scheme Guidelines, http://www.digitalready.gov.au/Content/Documents/PDF/SSSGuidelines.aspx (accessed 17 March 2011).

[16]      DBCDE, Digital Switchover: Satellite Subsidy Scheme Guidelines, http://www.digitalready.gov.au/Content/Documents/PDF/SSSGuidelines.aspx (accessed 17 March 2011).

[17]      Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications and the Arts, the Provisions of the Broadcast Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2010, May 2010.

[18]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Full Digital TV Service for Regional and Remote Australia', Media release, 9 November 2010.

[19]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Digital Television Australia-Wide', Media release, 5 January 2011.

[20]      A summary of the role and function of self-help facilities appears in DBCDE's most recent Report on Digital Transition and Reception, December 2010, pp. 16-17. DBCDE is required to produce periodic reports under clause 5H of Schedule 4 to the BSA.

[21]      DBCDE advised the committee that, based on data held by the ACMA, approximately 487 of these self-help retransmission facilities are located in remote licence areas (namely the Remote and Regional Western Australia and Remote Central and Eastern Australia licence areas): Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (BCDE) Portfolio, Response to Question on Notice 1, 16 March 2011.

[22]      DBCDE, Report on Digital Transition and Reception, December 2010, p. 16.

[23]      DBCDE, Report on Digital Transition and Reception, December 2010, pp 17-21.

[24]      DBCDE, Report on Digital Transition and Reception, December 2010, p 17.

[25]      DBCDE, Report on Digital Transition and Reception, December 2010, p. 16.

[26]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Size and Location of the Digital Dividend', Media Release, 24 June 2010.

[27]      DBCDE, Digital Dividend Green Paper, January 2010, p. 5.

[28]      DBCDE, Digital Dividend Green Paper, January 2010, p. iii (Minister's foreword).

[29]      For a convenient summary of several major submissions, see: Dominic White, 'Dogfight Looms Over Airwaves Carve-Up', Australian Financial Review, 24 January 2011, p. 16.  See further DBCDE, Consultations and Submissions—Digital Dividend, http://www.dbcde.gov.au/consultation_and_submissions/digital_dividend (accessed 4 March 2011).

[30]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Size and Location of the Digital Dividend', Media Release, 24 June 2010.

[31]      Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy, Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, 'Size and Location of the Digital Dividend', Media Release, 24 June 2010. Based on the restacking completion target of 31 December 2014 (noted below) it is likely that the digital dividend will be available for use in 2015.

[32]      See for example, the summary in the green paper, pp 9-11.

[33]      Rob Nicholls, 'Spectrum and Swiss Cheese: the Digital Dividend in Australia' (2010) 28(4) Communications Law Bulletin 7, p. 9. See further, Julie Flynn, CEO, Free TV Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 28.

[34]      ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, February 2011, p. iii.

[35]      Australian Communications and Media Authority (Realising the Digital Dividend) Direction 2010. The Digital Dividend Objectives—and other provisions of the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill 2011—were initially included in the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2010. However, the government withdrew these provisions in June 2010 and subsequently incorporated the Digital Dividend Objectives in the Ministerial Direction.

[36]      The broad distinction between these Acts is that the RCA deals with spectrum management (for example, it empowers the Minister to designate spectrum for broadcasting services, known as 'broadcasting service bands'). The BSA relevantly sets out the ACMA's planning and other regulatory functions in respect of spectrum designated as broadcasting service bands.

[37]      Australian Communications and Media Authority (Realising the Digital Dividend) Direction 2010 (9 July 2010), especially Clauses 4 and 5; Explanatory Statement, p. 3. See further, Schedule 1, Item 6 of the bill (subclause 26(1K), which prescribes 31 December 2014, or such later date as specified by the Minister) as the 'designated restack day'. This provision is noted below.

[38]      ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, February 2011. Submissions close on 4 April 2011.

[39]      ACMA, Restack Planning Advisory Group, http://www.acma.gov.au/WEB/STANDARD/pc=PC_312417 (accessed 7 March 2011).

[40]      DBCDE, Exposure Draft—Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill 2011, http://www.dbcde.gov.au/television/digital_televison_switchover/broadcasting_legislation_amendment_digital_dividend_bill_2011 (accessed 7 March 2011).

[41]      ACMA, Spectrum Reallocation in the 700MHz 'Digital Dividend' Band: Discussion Paper, October 2010. Submissions closed in December 2010 and 45 submissions were received: ACMA, 'Consultation on the Configuration and Allocation of Digital Dividend Spectrum', Issues for Comment Release, IFC 34/2010.

[42]      Item 6, Schedule 1.

[43]      LAPs are made under section 26 of the BSA. They are instruments which determine the number, category and characteristics of broadcasting services that are to be made available for allocation in particular areas of Australia with the use of the broadcasting services bands (AM and FM radio, and VHF and UHF television channels).

[44]      Explanatory Memorandum, [10].

[45]      Explanatory Memorandum, [12]. See further, ACMA, Clearing the Digital Dividend: Planning Objectives and Principles for Restacking Digital Television Channels, Discussion Paper, February 2011, p.7.

[46]      Item 6, Schedule 1 (inserting new subsections 26(1B)-(1M)); Explanatory Memorandum, [17].

[47]      Item 6, Schedule 1 (inserting a new s 26(1G)); Explanatory Memorandum, [18].

[48]      Item 7, Schedule 1 (inserting a new s 26(7)). These criteria pertain to consideration of demographics and social and economics characteristics in the licence area and beyond. According to the Explanatory Memorandum (at [27]), these criteria are not relevant to the technical task of restacking.

[49]      Item 13, Schedule 1 (inserting new ss 27(1A) and (1B)). Instead of undertaking 'wide public consultation' as currently required under the BSA, the ACMA would be required to undertake more limited consultations with those commercial, national or community broadcasters who are likely to be affected by a proposed TLAP or variation. The ACMA would have discretion to consult more broadly. These modified arrangements would apply only until the 'designated restack day' of 31 December 2014, or such later date as specified by ministerial direction. These modified arrangements apply only to television broadcasting, and do not affect consultation requirements in relation to radio broadcasting services.

[50]      Items 10, 15-18, Schedule 1 (inserting a new s 26AA, and amending ss 205PA. 205Q and Schedules 2 and 4).

[51]      Item 7, Schedule 1 (inserting new ss 26(8)-(10)); Explanatory Memorandum, [28]-[30].

[52]      Item 7, Schedule 1 (inserting a new s 26(11)); Explanatory Memorandum, [31]-[32].

[53]      Item 6, Schedule 1 (inserting new ss 26(1J) and (1K)).

[54]      Explanatory Memorandum, [20]. See further, Items 19 and 21, Schedule 1, which modify the statutory policy objectives for the commercial and national television conversion schemes, to reflect the requirement that, at the conclusion of the simulcast period, broadcasters will transmit their services in digital mode using the channel allotted by the relevant TLAP. If no TLAP is in place, broadcasters will continue using the DCP until a TLAP is in force.

[55]      Explanatory Memorandum, [20].

[56]      Items 31-34, Schedule 1 (amending s 31).

[57]      Item 35, Schedule 1 (amending s 32). A frequency allotment plan is made by the ACMA under s 25 of the BSA. It determines the number of channels that are to be available in particular areas of Australia to provide broadcasting services or restricted datacasting services, or both, using that part of the radiofrequency spectrum.

[58]      Items 36-53, Schedule 1.

[59]      Item 22, Schedule 2 (inserting a new s 130ZBB).

[60]      Item 37, Schedule 2 (inserting a new s 130ZH).

[61]      Item 17, Schedule 2 (inserting a new s 130ZB(15B). See further, Explanatory Memorandum, [174].

[62]      Item 61, Schedule 2 (amending s135ZZJA(2)).

[63]      Items 47, 50, 51, 52, Schedule 2 (amending Schedule 4 of the BSA).

[64]      Items 6, 38, 39, 41, 45, Schedule 2 (amending Schedule 2 of the BSA).

[65]      Regional Broadcasting Australia, Submission 3, p. 2; Free TV Australia, Submission 12, pp. 1-2; Mr Alan Butorac, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, pp. 27-28; Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 29.

[66]      ibid. See further, Australian Government, Digital TV Switchover Australia: VAST Service, http://www.digitalready.gov.au/what-is-the-switch/VAST-service.aspx (accessed 18 March 2011).

Chapter 3 - Key issues

[1]        Regional Broadcasting Australia, Submission 3, p. 3; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp. 3-4; Free TV Australia, Submission 12, p. 1; Mr Graeme Barclay, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 3; Mr Ian McGarrity, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 9.

[2]        See, for example, RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 8; Broadcast Australia, Submission 15, p. 2; Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, pp. 22-23; RAPAD, Response to Question on Notice, 16 March 2011.

[3]        See, for example Mr Graeme Barclay, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 3; Mr Ian McGarrity, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 9; Cr Bruce Scott, Mayor, Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 17.

[4]        Broadcast Australia, Submission 15; Local Government Association of Queensland, Submission 10; Remote Area Planning and Development Board, Submission 11.

[5]        Mount Isa to Townsville Economic Zone Inc, Submission 1; Barcaldine Shire Council, Submission 4;Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Submission 5; Winton Shire Council, Submission 8; Diamantina Shire Council, Submission 13; Barcoo Shire Council, Submission 14; Banana Shire Council, Submission 18.

[6]        Mr Graeme Barclay, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 2.

[7]        See generally, BA, Submission 15; LGAQ, Submission 10; RAPAD, Submission 11.

[8]        BA, Submission 15, pp 3-5; LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 2; RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 7. Although Mr Ian McGarrity, Broadcast Australia's technical adviser, conceded that households which are transferring from the existing Aurora satellite platform to VAST, while not eligible for the SSS, can use their pre-existing dishes and cabling, so they only need to purchase a VAST set-top box: Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 2.

[9]        As noted in Chapter 2, the Digital Switchover Satellite Subsidy Scheme Guidelines provide for subsidies of between $400 and $700 per eligible household, depending on geographic location, with a fixed standard household co-payment of between $200 and $350 per household depending on geographic location.

[10]      BA, Submission 15, p. 5.

[11]      RAPAD, Submission 11, Attachment 2.

[12]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 5-7; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp 4, 7.

[13]      LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 5; RAPAD Submission 11, p. 7; BA, Submission 15, pp 15-16.

[14]      RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 8; Mr Graeme Barclay, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 11.

[15]      Ms Julie Flynn, Free TV Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 26; Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 26.

[16]      Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 25.

[17]      Councillor Bruce Scott, Mayor of Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 17 in an exchange with Senator Doug Cameron, Chair, Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee.

[18]      Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 26.

[19]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 41.

[20]      Mr Ian McGarrity, Broadcast Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 8.

[21]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 38.

[22]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 38.

[23]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 32; Dr Simon Pelling, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 32. See further, BCDE Portfolio, Response to Question on Notice 2, 16 March 2011 (details of the consultation processes involved in establishing the SSS and HAS).

[24]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 40; Dr Simon Pelling, ACMA, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 40.

[25]      BCDE Portfolio, Response to Question on Notice 5, 16 March 2011.

[26]      LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 2; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp. 4, 8; BA, Submission 15, p. 2; Mr Graeme Barclay, BA, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 2.

[27]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 3-6; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp 7-9; BA, Submission 15, pp 8-13.

[28]      BA, Submission 15, p. 12.

[29]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 3-5; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp 8-10; BA, Submission 15, pp 8-11.

[30]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 3-5; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp 8-10; BA, Submission 15, pp 8-11.

[31]      BA, Submission 15, p. 8.

[32]      SBS Corporation, Submission 7, pp 1-2.

[33]      BA, Submission 15, p. 12. See also RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 9.

[34]      BA, Submission 15, p. 12.

[35]      BA, Submission 15, p. 12.

[36]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 29.

[37]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 29.

[38]      Dr Simon Pelling, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 40.

[39]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 40.

[40]      Ms Julie Flynn, Free TV Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 21.

[41]      Mr Alan Butorac, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 21.

[42]      Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, pp 22-23.

[43]      Mr Graeme Barclay, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 9; Ms Julie Flynn, Free TV Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 21; Mr Raoul Prideaux, Regional Broadcasting Australia, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 26; Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30. See further, BCDE Portfolio, Response to Question on Notice 18, 16 March 2011.

[44]      Free TV Australia, Submission 12, p. 2.

[45]      Mr Alan Butorac, RBA, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 23.

[46]      RBA, Response to Question on Notice, 16 March 2011.

[47]      BCDE Portfolio, Response to Question on Notice 14, 16 March 2011.

[48]      LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 2; RAPAD, Submission 11, pp. 6-7; Cr Bruce Scott, Mayor, Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 12; Mr Greg Hoffman, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 13; Mr David Arnold, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 14.

[49]      LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 2; Cr Bruce Scott, Mayor, Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 11; Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 12; Mr David Arnold, RAPAD, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 13.

[50]      LGAQ, Submission 10, p. 2; RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 4. See further, RAPAD, Response to Question on Notice, 15 March 2011.

[51]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp 2-3; RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 4.

[52]      RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 4; Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 15.

[53]      Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 15.

[54]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp 5-6; Cr Bruce Scott, Mayor, Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 15.

[55]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 5-6.

[56]      Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 15; Mr David Arnold, RAPAD, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 15.

[57]      RAPAD, Response to Question on Notice, 16 March 2011.

[58]      LGAQ, Submission 10, Attachment 1, pp. 2-3; RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 4.

[59]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[60]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[61]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[62]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[63]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[64]      Mr Giles Tanner, ACMA, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 34.

[65]      See for example, Mr Graeme Barclay, BA, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 4.

[66]      Ms Nerida O'Loughlin, DBCDE, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p. 30.

[67]      See, for example, Cr Bruce Scott, Mayor, Barcoo Shire Council, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p.12; Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p 13.

[68]      Mr Greg Hoffman, LGAQ, Proof Committee Hansard, Brisbane, 15 March 2011, p 13.

[69]      See for example, BA, Submission 15, p. 14. See further, Senate Selection of Bills Committee, Report No 2 of 2011, Appendix 1.

[70]      LGAQ, Submission 10, pp. 2, 8; RAPAD, Submission 11, p. 6; BA, Submission 15, pp. 14-16. In addition, Commercial Radio Australia argued that 'any changes to the legislation or the introduction of new planning functions and powers for the ACMA will need to be mindful of the implications for the new and existing DAB+ [radio] services': Submission 16, p. 1.

[71]      Police Federation of Australia, Submission 2.

[72]      Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association, Submission 6. Commercial Radio Australia also submitted that, 'where spectrum and sites are available and careful planning is in place, there is no reason to delay a full year, while TV restacks, before radio can switch on digital services for regional Australians'. It argued that the bill should be amended to provide the ACMA with various planning powers in respect of radio services: Submission 16, p. 1.

[73]      SBS Corporation, Submission 7, p. 1.

[74]      RBA, Submission 2, p. 2; Free TV Australia, Submission 12, p. 1.