Much to the relief of some in the radio industry the Howard Government’s ministerial reshuffle has Helen Coonan retaining her portfolio as Minister for Communications.

Plus she is promoted to senate deputy leader of the Government and becomes the first woman in the leadership team for the Coalition.

Today’s Sydney Morning Herald reports: “The move brings Senator Coonan even closer to the ear of Mr Howard, who has backed and promoted her since she made the well-trodden transition from the moderate wing of the NSW Liberal Party to join him on the right”

The paper continues: “Her promotion strengthens her hand in preparing Telstra for sale in the face of desperate lobbying by the company and some shareholders to wind back regulations. It gives her a freer reign to impose her own stamp on the ABC, with the broadcaster due to receive its triennial funding package this year. It also stands her in good stead for the biggest battle of her portfolio: defying the might of Australia’s great media tycoon families – the Murdochs and the Packers – to shape a pro-competition, pro-consumer media regime.”

“So far her ideas on media ownership, new technology and competition have failed to please either camp, distinguishing her from ministerial predecessors on both sides of politics over the past 20 years. But it is early days and the coming media contest will make Senator Coonan’s fight with Telstra look like a warm-up scuffle.”