Commonwealth bungling causes TAB radio service delay

10/6/93

Plans for a special TAB radio racing service in Western Australia have again been delayed because of Canberra's bureaucratic bungling, according to Services Minister Graham Kierath.

The Minister said the Australian Broadcasting Authority had informed him that it had suspended all applications for TAB racing services nationwide.

"The TAB worked patiently for two years to have a special racing service category created under the old Broadcasting Act," Mr Kierath said.

"Due to red tape this legislation did not go into effect until two weeks before the new Broadcasting Services Act was proclaimed, which voided the TAB amendment."

Under the new Act the TAB had to start the process all over again by applying for an 'open narrowcasting' licence to provide a specialised racing service.

"The TAB's pending licence application has been cancelled yet again, while Federal bureaucrats re-think their position," Mr Kierath said.

"This is a complete fiasco and prevents the racing community from getting the detailed information it requires."

A TAB radio service would allow racing coverage to be reduced on Radio 6PR, freeing up the commercial station to be more responsive to its mainstream audience.

Mr Kierath said Canberra's policy reversal was just as inexcusable as the Keating Government's disastrous handling of the Pay TV issue.

"This chaotic approach to broadcasting is unacceptable and unfair to 6PR, its audience and the Western Australian racing industry," he said.

"We have written to the ABA and Federal Communications Minister David Beddall expressing our disapproval and hopefully reason will prevail."

Media contact: Barry Thornton 481 2133 or 222 9595