Major media and arts players to give evidence to parliamentary committee

PUBLIC and commercial broadcasters, peak industry bodies and arts groups will address the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts next week in Sydney for its inquiry into broadcasting, online content and live production to rural and regional Australia.

Committee Chairman the Hon Bronwyn Bishop MP said the Committee is keen to hear about the services currently being provided to rural and regional Australia by broadcasters, as well as the experiences of key arts groups in promoting and delivering the arts in non-metropolitan settings. 

Mrs Bishop said that the evidence received from a variety of groups and individuals emphasises that access to the arts, news and other services, and local content, contributes significantly to the vibrancy of Australia’s rural and regional communities. 

“The Committee is pleased with the response it has received to the inquiry, with many informative submissions from a variety of places throughout Australia and we look forward to hearing from as many stakeholders and interested parties as possible during the conduct of the inquiry,” she said.

Public hearing details

Date: Monday, 7 March 2016 
Time: 9.00am to 5.00pm 

Hearing program: 
9.00am     Australian Broadcasting Corporation
10.00am   Free TV Australia
10.30am   Commercial Radio Australia
11.15am     Special Broadcasting Service Corporation
12.15pm    Lunch break
1.15pm      Prime Media, WIN Network and Southern Cross Austereo
2.15pm      Seven West Media
3.10pm      APN News and Media
3.40pm     Community Broadcasting Association of Australia
4.10pm     Optus
4.40pm     Aurora Community Television
5.00pm     Finish

Date: Tuesday, 8 March 2016 
Time: 9.00am to 1.30pm 

Hearing program: 
9.00am    Opera Australia
9.45am     Australian Major Performing Arts Group
10.30am   Sydney Dance Company
11.00am    Break
11.15am     ABC Regional
11.45am    Australia Council for the Arts
12.30pm   The Australian Ballet
1.00pm     Screen Producers Australia
1.30pm      Finish

Location for both days: Commonwealth Parliamentary Offices, Level 21, Meeting Room 2, 1  Bligh Street, Sydney.  Live webcast (audio only) 

For further background information, including programs for the hearing and copies of submissions, visit the Committee website www.aph.gov.au/communications or contact the secretariat: (02) 6277 4386 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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