Funding to support our community radio broadcasters

Federal Member for Mitchell, the Hon Alex Hawke MP, has welcomed today’s announcement of  new funding for the community radio sector, supporting the vital role they play in enhancing the diversity of Australia’s media and broadcasting sector.

The Turnbull Government will provide new funding of $6.1 million over two years to support the rollout of digital radio services and one-off spectrum reorganisation costs for analogue radio services.

The Government’s investment is in addition to the $15 million per annum already provided through the Community Broadcasting Program.

The new funding will be focussed on the roll-out of digital radio into regional areas and will provide some additional investment to support infrastructure needs of community stations.

The government’s funding complements other funding available to the sector, and the many thousands of hours that volunteers across the country provide in support of their local stations.

We believe community radio is an important voice. There are 455 community radio stations transmitting to more than 5 million people each week. That makes community radio Australia’s largest independent media sector.

I am very proud to announce this great investment for our local community.

More information on community radio is available at: www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/radio/community-radio.