Commercial Radio Australia today welcomed the appointment of Senator Stephen Conroy as Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy and offered the industry’s congratulations on the appointment.

“This is an extremely important portfolio and we are pleased that the incoming Prime Minister has awarded this complex and challenging area to Senator Conroy,” said Michael Anderson, Chair of Commercial Radio Australia, the peak industry body representing 260 commercial radio stations.

“Senator Conroy has valuable experience as Shadow Minister for Communications, IT and the Arts and a solid understanding of the diverse range of media and technology issues with which the Government will have to contend,” he said.

“The commercial radio industry has had an ongoing constructive dialogue and ideas exchange with Senator Conroy over the past few years so we feel he is well placed to address the significant issues commercial radio will face in this term of Government,” Mr Anderson said. “We look forward to continuing this relationship with the Senator and other members of the Federal Labor Government and congratulate the Labor Party on the election result,” Mr Anderson said.

The commercial radio industry intends to seek discussions in the near future with Senator Conroy on a range of issues, including the rollout of digital radio and local content obligations imposed on regional radio stations by the former Government.