Federal Government's 2011 legislative plans for telecommunications

The Prime Minister has released the list of legislation proposed for introduction in the Autumn sittings of Federal Parliament, starting Tuesday 8 February. Relevant Bills in the broadcasting and telecommunications sectors are:

Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Dividend and Other Measures) Bill *

This is part of the Federal Government's plans to realise the digital dividend. It will:

• facilitate planning and implementing a more spectrum efficient reorganisation of terrestrial digital television services in order to achieve the digital dividend resulting from the switchoff of analog television services
• introduce minor amendments to the regulatory framework for digital television, including to improve the operation of the digital television services provided by the satellite service licensed under section 38C of the Broadcasting Services Act 1992