Senator Coonan says her plan will "equip Australia for the digital future"; critics claim it will reduce media diversity.
Senator Coonan's plans will:
- Remove existing rules banning a company from owning more than one type of medium in the same capital city or regional area.
- Create new restrictions ensuring at least five commercial media groups in major cities, and four in regional centres.
- Remove restrictions on foreign investment.
- Extend the deadline for the analogue TV phaseout from 2008 to 2012.
Downloads and media
- Listen to Senator Coonan's full speech (MP3 audio file, 4.4MB)
- Listen to the question-and-answer session after Senator Coonan's speech (MP3 audio file, 2.0MB)
- Read the transcript of Senator Coonan's speech
- Read Senator Coonan's media release and summary of her plan
- Download Senator Coonan's discussion paper on media reform options (PDF document, 266 kb)
- Listen to an interview with Senator Coonan on ABC Radio
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