[Archive 2009-03-10] Community Television consortium urges Australian government to increase funding for channels

Historical archive — originally published 2009-03-10. This report records what was known on that date. It is not current news; subsequent events may have changed the situation. Wikinews closed in May 2026.

The Community Broadcasting Association of Australia (CBAA) has urged the Australian government to increase funding for community broadcasters. CBAA is asking for an extra $AU14 million for "vital community broadcasting services."

According to CBAA President Deborah Welch, community television is the training ground for the Australian media industry.

Stations broadcast a range of programs from religious programing, to car shows and sporting events. Several state based sporting leagues broadcast on community television stations. C31 Melbourne broadcasts an association football show called The Victoria Football Show; Queensland Community Television broadcasts AFL Queensland State League matches; and C31 Adelaide broadcasts Indoor Cricket & Netball and South Australian National Football League matches.

According to the CBAA, the primary income sources for community television stations are sponsorship announcements and community donations.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlum says, "[The] government should always be looking at ways to bring communities together, through sharing information and building partnerships."

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