I have today asked the Productivity Commission to conduct a review of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and other broadcasting-related legislation. The Commission is to report within 12 months.

The review arises from the Commonwealths legislation review commitments, which form part of the Commonwealths requirements under the Competition Principles Agreement, signed by the Commonwealth and all State and Territory governments in April 1995. This review was first foreshadowed as part of the Commonwealth Governments legislation review schedule in June 1996.

This review does not signal any change to the Governments media policies, including those regarding cross-media ownership and Australias digital transition.

The Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Broadcasting Services (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 1992 govern a diverse range of radio and television services for entertainment, educational and information purposes. The Radio Licence Fees Act 1964 and the Television Licence Fees Act 1964 seek to recover some of the value inherent in commercial broadcasting licences from commercial broadcasters and provide a return to the public for their use of scarce radiofrequency spectrum.

The terms of reference of the review are attached.

The Commission will shortly release an issues paper and invite expressions of interest from parties wanting to participate in the inquiry. I encourage all interested parties to make submissions to the Commission and to attend public hearings.

CANBERRA

4 March 1999