Media release
The Australian Government funds Australia Network, Australia's international television broadcasting service. The service is currently provided under the terms of a contract between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation which expires in August 2011.
On 18 June, the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade invited views into the future direction of Australia Network, including on the following issues:
- The future opportunities and challenges for a Government-funded international broadcasting service to effectively deliver a high quality, credible and reliable service in the Asia-Pacific region;
- Options for the delivery and funding of an international broadcasting service in the Asia-Pacific; and
- Whether the service, when the current contract with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation expires in August 2011, should be extended or the subject of a competitive tender process.
The Industry Submissions process closes today, Monday 19 July 2010.
As a consequence of the election being called, the Government is not in a position to consider the Submissions in an orderly fashion. An incoming Government will similarly need time to consider these Submissions.
The Department is required to give the ABC twelve months notice on whether it wishes to extend the current contract, unless it is otherwise agreed.
In accordance with the terms of the contract, DFAT and the ABC have mutually agreed to reduce the period of notice until after the forthcoming election.
This will provide the incoming Government with an opportunity to make a decision in an orderly way on future contractual arrangements for the Australia Network once the election has occurred.
All relevant stakeholders have been advised accordingly.
The contract's end date of 8 August 2011 has not changed.
Media inquiries
- DFAT Media Liaison: 02 6261 1555