Commonwealth's continued refusal to extend SBS TV to rural areas disgraceful

22/3/95

Services Minister Kevin Minson said today the Federal Government's continued refusal to extend SBS television to viewers outside Perth was a disgrace.

Mr Minson said the Western Australian Coalition Government would remain firm in its demands for the immediate introduction of a State-wide, time-delayed SBS satellite service.

"We believe it is unacceptable in the age of the information super highway for Western Australians living in regional and remote areas to be deprived of this basic taxpayer-funded service," the Minister said.

"It is unconscionable for the Commonwealth to reject extending SBS television in WA solely on financial grounds, while underwriting an ABC television service for Asia.

"The estimated annual cost of between two and three million dollars to place SBS TV on a regional zonal satellite beam such as Golden West Network pales into insignificance compared with the large sums of money recently earmarked for SBS and ABC to produce programs under the Creative Nation scheme.

"Obviously the vast majority of Creative Nation funding will be spent on activities in the Eastern States, while most of our State still remains without access to SBS TV. This situation doubly disadvantages WA."

Mr Minson said he had written to Federal Communications Minister Michael Lee urging him to reconsider.

"Most major regional centres in the Eastern States have already been given SBS as their fourth or fifth TV service while Mr Lee expects country WA to be satisfied with only two TV choices.

"If he believes country areas in this State are happy with this situation, he should think again.

"Narrogin was so keen to have SBS that they raised sufficient funds to buy a dish which enabled the town to receive the service, although it is not time-delayed and Albany is in the process of raising money to buy a dish for the same purpose.

"Mr Lee should realise that regional and remote area residents will certainly remember the Commonwealth's attitude to them at the next election."

Media contact:  Caroline Lacy  222 9595  325 8655