CBAA - Federal Budget Briefing
Author: CBOnline | Source: CBAA | Date: 13-05-10
From the CBAA:
Despite a strong pre-Budget Vision 2015 campaign by the CBAA and the sector as a whole to secure additional funding of $25m in the coming year, last night's Federal Budget portfolio documents show no additional funding support for the community broadcasting sector, other than the usual small increase through partial indexation. No new initiatives were announced or funded by DBCDE.
The CBAA thanks its sector partners in the campaign and the many CBAA members who petitioned their local MPs in a concerted Vision 2015 push. While this is a disappointing result, our work has not been wasted.
The profile of the sector has been increased significantly, both at the grass-roots level in marginal electorates around the country and in Parliament House, where every MP and Senator received CBX and campaign materials and key meetings were held. The groundwork has been laid for a strong federal election campaign.
The DBCDE Portfolio Budget document shows the allocation for community broadcasting in 2010/11 to be $12.5 million, which includes funding for sector projects including the Digital Radio Project and also RPH transmission support funding.
The Indigenous Broadcasting Program is allocated from the DEWHA Budget portfolio and for 2010/11 has received $30 million which includes funding for NITV. For more information, see www.budget.gov.au.
We now turn our sights to the federal election. Given that the election is shaping up to be a close one, the sector's prospects for securing pre-election commitments from the major parties may be better.
We will be seeking commitments from all parties to our Vision to 2015. The aim will be to get election promises which then translate into funding in next May's budget.
One thing is certain: the community broadcasting sector - our stations, our volunteers and our supporters -must work together in a campaign to broadcast the message of our important role in the Australian media and the need for a sustainable funding platform.
We look forward to working with all our members, their staff and volunteers to run an effective campaign in the pre-election period.