More evidence of regional shortfalls in Federal Labor’s new media reforms

Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie has again questioned the Federal Labor Government’s new media reforms and their ability to ensure local news for regional and rural areas. In today’s Senate Committees Hearing into the Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, and related bills, Senator McKenzie reiterated her stance on local news content. “Any legislation that…

Nationals Senator McKenzie says: No support for a reduction in regional television

The Federal Labor Government’s proposed media reforms, which were introduced to the Parliament today, threaten regional television broadcasters. The proposed abolition of the 75 per cent rule, which prohibits a regional television broadcaster from merging with a metropolitan based broadcaster, would allow national media giants to take over regional networks. If this goes ahead there…

Minister Conroy hearing voices

The Nationals Senator for Victoria, Bridget McKenzie has called Federal Labor Senator Stephen Conroy to account over media regulation. During Senate question time today, Senator McKenzie grilled the Government Senator over Federal Labor’s proposed “public interest criteria” that media acquisitions would have to meet under the reforms. Labor’s Senator Conroy responded with a bumbling contradiction…

McKenzie: There’s something wrong when bottled water and soft drink is more expensive than milk!

Victorian Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie joined forces with Senator Barnaby Joyce and Australian food campaigner, Dick Smith at a dairy crisis meeting in Tongala today that saw at least 500 disillusioned dairy farmers looking for change.   The meeting was co-ordinated by newly formed lobby group, Farmer Power and was chaired by Wyuna farmer, Nigel…

Back to School – McKenzie encourages rights and responsibilities as part of International Safer Internet Day

As the school year begins, many parents will be purchasing internet enabled devices to help their children access information as part of their learning. Many schools will also be providing laptops and these will arrive home with the children this week. Tuesday, February 5 is International Safer Internet Day and this year, the theme is…

Federal Government lacks headspace common sense

The Nationals Senator for Victoria Bridget McKenzie has attacked the government’s so-called common sense approach to determining how communities receive headspace centres.   In response to a Senate Estimates Question on Notice, the government confirmed results of national modelling and “a level of human intelligence” are a basis to determining how locations are selected, giving…