✦ Plain-English Summary

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Regional Commercial Radio and Other Measures) 2020

What it does

This law makes changes to how regional commercial radio stations operate in Australia, particularly those outside major cities. It also adjusts rules for regional TV stations about how much Australian content they need to broadcast. The changes are designed to give smaller radio and TV operators more flexibility in their licensing requirements.

Why it matters

Regional communities rely heavily on local radio and TV for news, entertainment and emergency information. Relaxing some of the rules means these stations might have more freedom to operate—but it could also affect how much local content gets made in regional areas. The changes essentially trade off stricter requirements for greater operational flexibility.

Key details

• Who's affected: Commercial radio stations in regional and remote areas (basically anywhere outside major capital city licence areas, including Western Suburbs Sydney). Regional TV broadcasters also get changes to their content quotas.

• When it happens: Most changes kick in 28 days after the law receives Royal Assent (final approval), though some apply immediately the day after.

• What changed: The law redefines what counts as "regional commercial radio" and introduces a new concept called a "local content exemption period"—meaning stations may not always have to meet the same local content rules they previously did.

Official Description

Amends the: Broadcasting Services Act 1992 to: enable regional commercial radio broadcasting licensees to nominate to split exemption periods from local news and information content obligations into two periods, together totalling no more than five weeks; amend the minimum service standard obligations which apply after a trigger event occurs; and permit regional and remote commercial television broadcasting licensees to be deemed to have complied with the multi-channel Australian content quota obligation in certain circumstances; and Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005 to enable the Australian Communications and Media Authority to delegate an information-gathering power.

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.