Fed: Labor urges govt to hurry up with digital TV laws

AAP General News (Australia)
04-12-2000
Fed: Labor urges govt to hurry up with digital TV laws

Labor has urged the government to hurry up and finalise its digital broadcasting legislation,
after a report criticised the government's approach.

Opposition communications spokesman STEPHEN SMITH says the Productivity Commission
report bolsters Labor's argument that the proposed datacasting regime could stifle the
industry before it starts.

The government was expected to table legislation implementing the new digital regime
this week, but criticism of draft rules circulated may now delay the process.

Digital broadcasting is scheduled to start in January, and Mr SMITH argues that the
legislation has to be released this week to allow time for a Senate committee inquiry.

The Productivity Commission declares the government's plan to limit new media datacasters
from competing with television stations is too restrictive.

It says the government should set a deadline for the end of analogue television and
bring the cut-off date for regional areas into line with cities, to avoid widening the
city-country divide.

AAP RTV kmh/mfh/gp/jn

KEYWORD: MEDIA SMITH (CANBERRA)

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