Commercial Radio & Audio (CRA) has welcomed today’s announcement by the Minister for Communications, The Hon Anika Wells MP, of the Albanese Government’s intention to table legislation supporting the sustainability of commercial, community and national broadcasting. The proposed reforms include a prominence framework to ensure Australian radio services remain easy to find on smart speakers and will reduce the regulatory burden for regional and remote commercial broadcasters to drive investment into the sector.

Pictured left to right: John Kelly (Managing Director – Audio, Southern Cross Media Group), Tom Malone (CEO, Tapt Media), Lizzie Young (CEO, CRA), Peter Colosimo (COO, NOVA Entertainment), The Hon Anika Wells MP (Minister for Communications), Ben Campbell (Chief Digital & Technology Officer, ARN), Peter Charlton (CRA Chair – CEO, NOVA Entertainment), Anna Ryan (Head of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, CRA), Eleni North (Chief Legal and People Officer, Tapt Media), and Mark Taylor (CEO, ACE Radio). 

CRA CEO Lizzie Young said: “Global platforms have reshaped the industry without the obligations or accountability Australian radio broadcasters have faced for decades. Today’s announcement marks a turning point: a significant step towards the sustainability of commercial radio – Australia’s only 100% locally-owned and operated commercial media channel.”

“We’re free to access, local and trusted by 15 million listeners every week.1 Yet we compete on an uneven playing field against the global tech platforms that take a disproportionate share of local advertising dollars and control distribution channels to our audience.

“That’s the imbalance the proposed reforms start to address. We thank the Minister for the engagement to date, and we look forward to the Government progressing this important work.”

Minister for Communications, The Hon Anika Wells MP said: “The Albanese Government values a vibrant and diverse media landscape, and we want to ensure our commercial, community and national broadcasters remain sustainable into the future.

“These reforms respond to changes in the way Australians consume and engage with broadcast media and make our laws more appropriate for the 21st century media environment.

“We will continue to work with broadcasters on reforms that enable them to deliver quality content to Australian audiences right around the country efficiently and sustainably.”