This year’s Federal Budget (announced on the 8th of May) included an allocation of $10.1 million for the community broadcasting sector to commence digital radio services.

Click here for the feature and here for the press release.

“Millions of radio listeners around the country will be able to enjoy improved radio services thanks to Federal Budget funding of $10.5 million,” the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, announced in May 2007.

Click here for the DCITA media release.

Legislation to effect the introduction of digital radio into Australia was tabled in Parliament on 28 March 2007. It was subsequently referred to the Senate Standing Committee on Environment, Communications Information Technology and the Arts (ECITA) to conduct an inquiry. The CBAA made two submissions.

Click here for the Senate reoprt.

The CBAA’s 2006 Conference included a number of sessions exploring digital media. On Saturday morning, a group of specialists examined some of the issues facing broadcasters as new forms of digital delivery begin to take shape. Presenters include Kath Letch (Triple R), Bryce Ives (Syn FM), and Greg Dee (Channel 31 Melbourne).

The 2006 Conference Report will be available shortly.

CBX is a quarterly magazine published by the CBAA. The November 2006 edition discussed the Digital Radio Symposium, where the future direction of community radio in the ‘digital era’ was examined and debated.

Click here for the article.

In October 2005, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts announced a framework to guide the introduction of digital radio in Australia.

Click to here read the CBAA's response or here for the article.

CBAA General Manager Barry Melville spoke on 2SER's media program The 4th Estate about the move to digital radio and the implications and challenges it poses for the community broadcasting sector.

Click here
for the full interview.

The concept of Digital Radio has been around for a few years now and lately there have been many questions raised - questions regarding technology, costs, spectrum, infrastructure planning and which broadcasters are in or out. But it is certainly not a question of whether it will ever happen.

Click here for the full article.

In December 2004, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts announced a consultation process for the development of a policy and regulatory framework for the introduction of digital radio into Australia.

Click here for the DCITA media release and for the CBAA's response.

During the 2004 Federal Election the Government committed to working with industry and stakeholders to develop a policy for digital radio.

Click here for Government policy.

The Australian Labor Party (ALP) in the lead up to the 2004 Federal Election gave a commitment to fund the community broadcasters transition to digital broadcasting.

Click here for ALP policy and here for the article.