Conroy says Opposition 'œclears up' signal on digital TV

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Friday, 05 December 2008 06:36

Opinion and Analysis

After initially saying that the Australian Federal Opposition “sabotaged” the definite rollout date for digital TV in Australia, Federal Communications Minister Senator Conroy now says the Opposition has instead “backed down” and has decided to help deliver a clear signal on when analog will be no more, and digital will rule the day – the 31st of December, 2013.

Just a couple of days ago, Australia’s Federal Communications Minister, Senator Stephen Conroy, lamented the Federal Opposition’s decision to “sabotage” the future of Digital TV in Australia.

But now, thanks to a “backdown”, Australia’s analog TV signals will be switched off forever in five years time, on December the 31st, 2013, with the Minister welcoming the decision. 

Senator Conroy said “Australia now has certainty that digital television will be rolled out in a considered, strategic way and that all analog viewers have access to digital signals.

“After eight years of inertia under the previous Government, the Rudd Government is acting decisively to ensure digital television for all Australian analog television viewers.

“Opposition amendments to the Digital Television Switchover Bill 2008 threatened to sabotage and delay digital switchover. Today they have backed down, allowing the Bill to pass.

“This legislation, the last to pass in 2008, paves the way for the upgrade of essential national communications infrastructure for the 21st century.

“The Rudd Government has set a firm date for the switch-off of analog television signals on 31 December 2013 and has committed to consultation and transparency as we make the digital transition.

“Work is already underway on the Digital Tracker research program, which will provide quarterly reports on regional switchover trends.

“In addition, the Government will publish progress reports on signal blackspots.

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