E&OE...........................
Well, thank you very much, John; to Richard Alston, my other Parliamentary
colleagues, ladies and gentlemen.
This is quite an exciting and, I think, historic night for us here in Parliament
and also for the interaction between political Australia, if I can put it
that way, and media Australia. I think, and this doesn't carry any connotations
of any changes in media policy let me say immediately, but I think this
country has been incredibly well served by free-to-air television. I think
the quality of free-to-air television in Australia is better than in any
other country I've seen and I think what we are witnessing tonight is another
very interesting stage in the very praiseworthy and meritorious history
of free-to-air television in Australia.
I think the aim of providing to the 19 million Australians who consume free-to-air
television the best technology in the latest available form in a way that's
accessible to them is a very, very important obligation which is not only
the responsibility of those who hold the free-to-air licenses but also the
responsibility of the Government to provide it an intelligible, regulatory
framework.
Media policy has always been something in this country that's attracted
intense debate. And when Richard said I should come along tonight he said
it's just a very quiet gathering of modest, understated, retiring Australians
who are coming to this gathering and you'll enjoy it.
But, finally, can I say that devouring new technology whether it be high
definition television, whether it be all of the other elements of information
technology in Australia, devouring new technology has always been a particular
Australian passion. We have a great desire to master, to understand, to
enjoy new technology and I think that Australians will take to high definition
television. Those of us who love our sport, whatever that sport may be,
will find in high definition television and all that goes with it, an opportunity
to enjoy the pleasures of our particular sporting passions like we've never
enjoyed them before. And the opportunities and the new world that it opens
up and everything else associated with it will be a very, very important
part of the ongoing entertainment story of this country.
I want to congratulate Richard Alston as my Minister for the really first
class job that he's done in this area over the last three-and-a-quarter
years. I think he's a great Minister for Communications. I know some of
you here don't always agree with him 100 per cent of the time but I'm sure
you agree with him most of the time. And that's what he tells me anyway
and, you know, who am I to disbelieve such a shy, retiring colleague.
So, ladies and gentlemen, can I again say to the proprietors of free-to-air
television, thank you for the contribution that you've made to Australian
society over the last 43 years since that historic moment in 1956. And I
think that high definition television and all that is associated with it
is going to be a really exciting chapter in the entertainment story of Australia
and I can't wait to participate and I think most Australians will feel the
same way. Thanks a lot.
[Ends]