Digital Radio progress slower than expected: Warner

Communications Minister, Helen Coonan, yesterday announced the next steps the Government will take towards the introduction of digital radio in Australia, but those steps are not exactly in line with the preferred options of existing broadcasters.

Commercial Radio Australia’s Joan Warner spoke to radioinfo, saying CRA will continue to lobby the government to implement its preferred policy:

radioinfo: Is this progress?

Warner: Yes, because it’s at last a focus on moving our agenda forward.

It’s a positive move even though it is slower then we expected. It signals that the Minister wants to move the debate forward.

radioinfo: In the policy paper, there is a moratorium of five years before the possibility of new competition. It’s not as long as you wanted. What are your thoughts on that?

Warner: The government has restated its policy of competition after five years.

We will continue to discuss our preferred option of 10–15 years, which is fair and equitable with the tv industry.

The tv industry got 8 years, plus an extenson, to introduce digital services and we will want exactly the same as tv.

We are already a much more diverse industry, with much more competition, so there is no reason to use this for more competition.

When we invest in digital, we will want to recoup our investment and, of course, there will be a long simulcast period where there will be double costs.

radioinfo: Your preferred policy model has been on the table for a while. Were you hoping the Government would just adopt that?

Warner: We understand that they have to go through a process of consultation but, at the same time, we have our policies and we will pursue those.

We will be making a submission which will restate our policy of conversion and no new competition. We also know that other players, such as community and narrowcast broadcasters have the same views.

We will negotiate from this viewpoint and I think the CBAA will take the same position.

radioinfo: What does this say to you about the approach of the new Minister?

Warner: It is very positive. In a short period, she has indicated that she is willing to focus on this topic.

In the past, we’ve had difficulty getting ministers to focus on this issue, but the current Minister is prepared to do that.

radioinfo: Speaking of former ministers, do you have any comment on the new High Commissioner to London, Richard Alston?

Warner: [laughs] Congratulations. It will be a great posting for him.