Broadcast of SBS radio services not wanted in Perth

6/10/94

Western Australia has become the unwilling recipient of unwanted Federal election broadcasting and as a result more than half a million regional residents will miss out on SBS television.

Services, Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Minister Graham Kierath told the Perth hearings of a Senate Committee that Perth got an SBS radio service that it did not want - a move which had upset some of the ethnic communities.

"It is being foisted upon us," the Minister told the Senate Standing Committee on Industry, Science, Technology, Transport, Communications and Infrastructure.

"During the Federal election, the Prime Minister announced that SBS radio services produced in Sydney and Melbourne would be broadcast in all capital cities, despite the fact there was no demonstrated demand for the service in Perth.

"The move caused distress in ethnic groups because SBS could undermine the viability of local ethnic radio station 6EBA FM."

Mr Kierath said the promise, made in the heat of a tight election campaign showed contempt for and a lack of understanding of the needs of WA.

"What the State Government, State Opposition and 700,000 rural and remote Western Australians want is SBS television," Mr Kierath said.

"It is hypocrisy to allocate large sums for ABC telecasts into Asia, while refusing universal access to SBS TV here at home - and it has not gone unnoticed in the countryside."

Mr Kierath said that throughout the State there were many ethnic groups who were doubly disadvantaged by being culturally as well as geographically isolated.

Currently, they had no access to any multicultural or ethnic broadcasting services to maintain their non-English language skills and to keep informed of developments in their country of origin.

The Minister told the committee that about $2.2 to $2.6 million per year would make SBS TV available to Australia's biggest State and fulfil the greatest need.

The Prime Minister had promised to do more for rural Australia.

"By continuing to deprive all non-metropolitan Western Australians access to this taxpayer-funded service flies in the face of that commitment," Mr Kierath said.

The situation for remote WA had been further exacerbated by the ABC shutting its shortwave service after 50 years of operation.

At that time, there was a promise to supply access to a radio service by alternative means but nothing had so far happened.

"Considering the amount of this nation's wealth which is generated from remote and regional WA, it is being treated with utter contempt by the Federal Government and the decision-makers in the East," Mr Kierath said.

Media contact:  Brian Coulter 222 9595 / 481 2133