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Radio surprised at Government copyright decision

The commercial radio industry has expressed surprise and concern at the Commonwealth Attorney-General's proposal to lift the statutory cap on broadcasting fees paid by radio broadcasters to record companies.

Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, said: "This could lead to spiraling payments by radio stations to record companies - and we are especially surprised as we were told by the Government only a couple of months ago that it was not inclined to change the cap at this time.

According to Ms Warner, Commercial Radio Australia is concerned that the Commonwealth Government has sided with "the multi-billion dollar global record industry" over Australian radio at a time when costs are rising and revenues are unstable for the local industry, especially regional broadcasters. Furthermore, commercial radio stations have commenced planning for the digital rollout, at considerable expense, of superior radio services to all Australians using digital radio technology.

Ms Warner said: "It is also common knowledge that the advertising market for radio has been softer and unstable, and, as a result of Government policy, there are more radio stations than ever before competing for a shrinking advertising dollar."

The commercial radio industry, as part of the consultation on the statutory cap, has provided the Government with a significant amount of detailed argument and rationale for retaining the cap.

"It appears the Government has, at this point, chosen to ignore the needs and concerns of the Australian radio industry," said Ms Warner. "However, we are pleased to note that there will be further consultation on the legislation. We will be seeking meetings with relevant Ministers, as well as with local Liberal and National Party members, during the consultation period to restate the case for the Australian radio industry".
16 May, 2006

Radio surprised at Government copyright decision

The commercial radio industry has expressed surprise and concern at the Commonwealth Attorney-General's proposal to lift the statutory cap on broadcasting fees paid by radio broadcasters to record companies.

Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia, said: "This could lead to spiraling payments by radio stations to record companies - and we are especially surprised as we were told by the Government only a couple of months ago that it was not inclined to change the cap at this time.

According to Ms Warner, Commercial Radio Australia is concerned that the Commonwealth Government has sided with "the multi-billion dollar global record industry" over Australian radio at a time when costs are rising and revenues are unstable for the local industry, especially regional broadcasters. Furthermore, commercial radio stations have commenced planning for the digital rollout, at considerable expense, of superior radio services to all Australians using digital radio technology.

Ms Warner said: "It is also common knowledge that the advertising market for radio has been softer and unstable, and, as a result of Government policy, there are more radio stations than ever before competing for a shrinking advertising dollar."

The commercial radio industry, as part of the consultation on the statutory cap, has provided the Government with a significant amount of detailed argument and rationale for retaining the cap.

"It appears the Government has, at this point, chosen to ignore the needs and concerns of the Australian radio industry," said Ms Warner. "However, we are pleased to note that there will be further consultation on the legislation. We will be seeking meetings with relevant Ministers, as well as with local Liberal and National Party members, during the consultation period to restate the case for the Australian radio industry".
16 May, 2006

Our glorious leaders have unveiled another weft for the fabric of New Australia™ today.

The Sydney Morning Herald's online presence, smh.com.au, introduce the impending changes to our Copyright laws under the title "Dumb and Dumber" ... though I'm not sure who is dumb and who is dumber - the government for foisting this experiment upon us, or some of the people who are responding to the proposal.

As usual, "market forces" will eventually determine the play of this game. Probably not until a few people get broken on the altar of The Way Things Were Always Done™

Piracy is a complex issue, but it has never been deterred by laws. Not while the profits outweigh the potential losses.

Our glorious leaders have unveiled another weft for the fabric of New Australia™ today.

The Sydney Morning Herald's online presence, smh.com.au, introduce the impending changes to our Copyright laws under the title "Dumb and Dumber" ... though I'm not sure who is dumb and who is dumber - the government for foisting this experiment upon us, or some of the people who are responding to the proposal.

As usual, "market forces" will eventually determine the play of this game. Probably not until a few people get broken on the altar of The Way Things Were Always Done™

Piracy is a complex issue, but it has never been deterred by laws. Not while the profits outweigh the potential losses.

Senseless censorship gets a hippy hippy shake down
March 28, 2006
Who's policing the web's thought police, asks Graeme Philipson.

( Read more... )

Senseless censorship gets a hippy hippy shake down
March 28, 2006
Who's policing the web's thought police, asks Graeme Philipson.

( Read more... )

'Smart card' task force head resigns
ABC News Online: Monday, May 8, 2006.

( Read more... )

Foreign experts to take on smart card project
ABC News Online: Monday, May 8, 2006.

( Read more... )

Report criticises Australian IT buyers' cultural cringe
Graeme Philipson
smh.com.au: May 2, 2006
Home-grown technology can vie with its international competitors - it's local attitudes that must change.

( Read more... )

'Smart card' task force head resigns
ABC News Online: Monday, May 8, 2006.

( Read more... )

Foreign experts to take on smart card project
ABC News Online: Monday, May 8, 2006.

( Read more... )

Report criticises Australian IT buyers' cultural cringe
Graeme Philipson
smh.com.au: May 2, 2006
Home-grown technology can vie with its international competitors - it's local attitudes that must change.

( Read more... )

Family Services Minister Mal Brough is proposing that some welfare-dependent families could be forced to direct debit part of their income to pay for rent, electricity and food in a bid to help children.

The Minister says there are examples, especially in remote Indigenous communities, of parents wasting their welfare payments on drugs, cigarettes and alcohol while their children are in need.

He says up to 30 per cent of welfare payments could be compulsorily set aside.

Mr Brough has told Channel Nine it is not government policy but he wants to start a public debate about the proposal.

"We're not talking about the entire family benefits here or unemployment benefit but a portion of it," he said.

"That money being able to only be spent on things that will benefit the child - so things like cigarettes and alcohol would be excluded from the purchasing for these families.

"[That money] can go to a school tuckshop to ensure breakfast, morning tea and lunch are provided."

The Australian Democrats are backing calls for a wide-ranging debate on how best to help children, who are being inadequately looked after.

Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says there is no doubt that many youngsters are being failed by their parents and society as a whole.

But he says it would be very dangerous to single out welfare recipients or Indigenous communities in trying to rectify the situation.

"Children are neglected from families black and white rich and poor country and city and if we're going to make a dramatic shift like this would be then it ought to be one where the community has a full understanding of what the consequences are."

Federal family Services Minster, Mal Brough, has floated a proposal to allow government to require parents, who are found to be failing to provide for their children, to have part of their welfare payment compulsorily quarantined so it is spent on rent, electricity and food for the children

...

Family Services Minister Mal Brough is proposing that some welfare-dependent families could be forced to direct debit part of their income to pay for rent, electricity and food in a bid to help children.

The Minister says there are examples, especially in remote Indigenous communities, of parents wasting their welfare payments on drugs, cigarettes and alcohol while their children are in need.

He says up to 30 per cent of welfare payments could be compulsorily set aside.

Mr Brough has told Channel Nine it is not government policy but he wants to start a public debate about the proposal.

"We're not talking about the entire family benefits here or unemployment benefit but a portion of it," he said.

"That money being able to only be spent on things that will benefit the child - so things like cigarettes and alcohol would be excluded from the purchasing for these families.

"[That money] can go to a school tuckshop to ensure breakfast, morning tea and lunch are provided."

The Australian Democrats are backing calls for a wide-ranging debate on how best to help children, who are being inadequately looked after.

Democrats Senator Andrew Bartlett says there is no doubt that many youngsters are being failed by their parents and society as a whole.

But he says it would be very dangerous to single out welfare recipients or Indigenous communities in trying to rectify the situation.

"Children are neglected from families black and white rich and poor country and city and if we're going to make a dramatic shift like this would be then it ought to be one where the community has a full understanding of what the consequences are."

Federal family Services Minster, Mal Brough, has floated a proposal to allow government to require parents, who are found to be failing to provide for their children, to have part of their welfare payment compulsorily quarantined so it is spent on rent, electricity and food for the children

...