Fairfax Digital Media Central West has given Calare’s Federal Election candidates the opportunity to answer the questions our readers posed to them via our social media sites.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
In the lead up to the election we will run a question each day, with the responses we received from candidates.
Each candidate was contacted via phone and email. Their responses are below.
How are you intending to work towards restoring local television coverage to areas such as Hartley that lost reception when digital television was introduced to the region?
John Cobb (Nationals)
No response
Billie Kirkland (Katter’s Australian Party)
Since the Digital television roll out in the region there are certain pockets in the region which it is my understanding have less than adequate coverage. Digital should provide good signal reception over any area, however some statistical signal variations could potentially cause occasional reception difficulties.
Localised terrain obstruction has been an obstacle in some regional areas. It was my understanding that viewers in marginal areas would have access to the Viewer access Satellite Television service in line with applicable access arrangements.
The rural receiving system with 10m antenna height may be required in some areas to avoid digital reception issues.
However I do not believe that this has been a solution to some areas and if I am is elected to the seat of Calare I will work closely with the Australian Communication Authority to correct any areas where coverage is poor.
Ian Lyons (Christian Democratic Party – Fred Nile Group)
In regard to restoring local television in areas such as Hartley. I had not been aware of this situation, but it is a disgrace that this has been allowed to occur.I would investigate the best ways of over coming this problem. I would put pressure on the Government to remedy this very serious problem.
Jess Jennings (Labor)
Everyone in Australia can now receive all 16 channels of digital television either via terrestrial coverage or satellite transmission.
Hartley is in the Remote Central and Eastern Australia region which will switch over to digital TV on 10 December 2013. The Central Tablelands and Central Western Slopes region switched over to digital TV on 5 June 2012. Some areas around this region received what is known as “opportunistic” coverage of analog transmission from broadcasters outside their television licence area.
Residents who are unable to receive a decent terrestrial television reception from the transmitters that serve the area in which they live should be eligible for Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST). This includes viewers receiving TV from a self-help transmission tower that is not being upgraded to digital by the commercial broadcasters; and those who are not able to receive an adequate digital signal from another transmitter serving their area. Go to www.digitalready.gov.au to find out more.
The VAST service features channels carrying programs sourced from Southern Cross Seven, Imparja Nine and the Ten network, and the main national broadcaster services ABC1 and SBS ONE, together with digital channels ABC2, ABC3, SBS TWO, 7TWO, GO!, and Eleven and the high definition channels ABC News 24 HD, SBS HD, 7mate, GEM and ONE HD.
The service also provides viewers with access to the local regional news services currently broadcast by the commercial broadcasters in the area. These services are provided through an interactive service on a dedicated channel.
Macgregor Ross (Independent)
I’m not across this one – but I’m thinking a solution could lie in a group/cooperative technological approach? – I would be happy to assist
Brian Cain (Palmer United Party)
The NBN is a mess, practically and financially. They have in effect tried to build a house without plans, financial goals or standards. The NBN is not due to be rolled out in Calare for another five years and current hard wire or wireless connection is overloaded and slow. Business in every major town in the electorate complain of the same problems. Some businesses in Parkes reliant on this technology send their personnel home after 3pm as school across the electorate turn out and the system becomes overloaded. Telstra are unwilling to expand the current infrastructure, they feel they will get no return on the investment when the broadband arrives. The future of the NBN rollout depends on the next government, either way without skilled management Calare will continue to suffer. Satellite speed and wireless technology have been tested beyond the speed of broadband recently and this technology is far quicker to install and cheaper than the NBN.
David Mallard (The Greens)
The Greens’ spokesperson for communications, Senator Scott Ludlam, has asked questions about digital coverage, black spots and fixes during the switch-over. I would work with him to press for action to ensure people in Hartley and other affected areas have the same level of coverage and potential reception quality as under analog TV, through either addressing black spots or through affordable replacement services (e.g., satellite).
Anthony Craig (Democratic Labour Party)
Very simple invest in infrastructure
Peter Schultze (Australia First Party)
I am will following up to ensure that this deficiency is addressed and met. I strongly support this resolution.
TOMORROW: Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Opposition Leader Tony Abbot have both said they won't strike any deals with minor parties or independents to form government if neither party gains a majority in its own right. How do you feel about this?