Mrs BRAHAM - 2005-08-18
8CCC has operated as a community radio station from the CDU campus, formerly Centralian College, since June 1986, almost 20 years ago. In applying for renewal of their licence, 8CCC was given categorical support for their application from CDU, and I quote: ‘The university has no intention of changing the arrangements’. Since then, unfortunately, they have discovered that CDU intends to reclaim the premises, forcing 8CCC broadcasting to cease. As a matter of urgency, can you intervene on behalf of this community radio station and ensure CDU honours their original commitment to support 8CCC?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am not sure if it is a simple matter of me as the Minister for Employment, Education and Training intervening in what is, essentially, a relationship between 8CCC and the university. It is a radio station that I have visited in the past on visits to the campus. However, it would seem to me, first and foremost, to be a matter to be resolved between the 8CCC board of management on the one hand, and Charles Darwin University management on the other.
That is not to say we are not without interest in this question, because the Northern Territory government does, in fact, financially support 8CCC to the tune of an allocation of $104 500 currently provided to Charles Darwin University for the community radio station, 8CCC FM, through a direct appropriation from Treasury. Up until 2003, that payment was made to Centralian College. Special payments made to Centralian College have continued to be made to Charles Darwin University.
I am prepared to see where this is up to with Charles Darwin University. I do not know that I have an intervention role as minister. I believe it is a matter to be sorted out between the two parties. Licensing matters, again, being a third party, rest with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Dr Lim: You need to be involved.
Mr STIRLING: The member for Greatorex says I need to be involved. Well, it is hard to see quite how the Minister for Employment, Education and Training ought be involved in questions about a licence for a community radio station in a Northern Territory town.
Dr Lim: Your are the minister for education; you have responsibility for those institutions. You had it with Centralian College …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr STIRLING: I have said that we will raise the matter with Charles Darwin University. However, I am not giving any undertaking that I am going in to bat one way or the other. I do not see that as a role for myself or, indeed, for this government.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I am not sure if it is a simple matter of me as the Minister for Employment, Education and Training intervening in what is, essentially, a relationship between 8CCC and the university. It is a radio station that I have visited in the past on visits to the campus. However, it would seem to me, first and foremost, to be a matter to be resolved between the 8CCC board of management on the one hand, and Charles Darwin University management on the other.
That is not to say we are not without interest in this question, because the Northern Territory government does, in fact, financially support 8CCC to the tune of an allocation of $104 500 currently provided to Charles Darwin University for the community radio station, 8CCC FM, through a direct appropriation from Treasury. Up until 2003, that payment was made to Centralian College. Special payments made to Centralian College have continued to be made to Charles Darwin University.
I am prepared to see where this is up to with Charles Darwin University. I do not know that I have an intervention role as minister. I believe it is a matter to be sorted out between the two parties. Licensing matters, again, being a third party, rest with the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
Dr Lim: You need to be involved.
Mr STIRLING: The member for Greatorex says I need to be involved. Well, it is hard to see quite how the Minister for Employment, Education and Training ought be involved in questions about a licence for a community radio station in a Northern Territory town.
Dr Lim: Your are the minister for education; you have responsibility for those institutions. You had it with Centralian College …
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Greatorex!
Mr STIRLING: I have said that we will raise the matter with Charles Darwin University. However, I am not giving any undertaking that I am going in to bat one way or the other. I do not see that as a role for myself or, indeed, for this government.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016