NITV staff at SBS

Question on notice no. 2386
Senator Scott Ludlam: asked the Minister for Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy on 19 October 2012:
(1) In regard to the transition of National Indigenous Television (NITV)
into the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) , will NITV staff be paid at
the same rate as SBS staff when the transition and probationary period is
complete.
(2) How is SBS applying recent funding increases to equipment upgrades
and increases in staffing levels in radio or operations areas.
(3) How many fulltime equivalent staff are employed by SBS compared
to casual or parttime staff.
(4) Has SBS introduced full in-program advertising breaks to programs
on the SBS On Demand internet service.
(5) Was the On Demand service previously operating with a single
advertisement before each program, and with no advertisements during
the program.
(6) Did SBS make a public statement that it intended to insert advertising
breaks into internet television programs.
(7) Do advertisers pay a smaller amount or nil payment for ‘play only'
advertisements, and a higher amount for each ‘click on the advertisement'
advertisement.
(8) How is the On Demand advertiser rate card calculated and what does
SBS charge.
(9) Will SBS re-introduce the ‘skip advert' button that was removed from
the On Demand player.
(10) What percentage of total revenue does SBS expect to generate from
forcing advertisement breaks into the On Demand service.
(11) In the 201112 financial year:
(a) of the $46 million that was revenue generated from
advertisements on SBS television, as articulated during the 2012-13
Budget estimates hearing of the Environment and Communications
Legislation Committee, what percentage of advertisements were
positioned between programs only; and
(b) how much did SBS spend on local Australian television
production and the commissioning of such programs.
(12) Did SBS lawyers check and approve ‘The Last Frontier' program
before it was aired.
(13) What interaction did management have with the SBS Ombudsman
on ‘The Last Frontier' matter.
(14) Is it usual for a utility to go directly to the head of SBS with a
grievance and to lobby for an apology.
(15) What time frame does the SBS Ombudsman usually have to decide
on such matters and how does that compare with the decision on ‘The
Last Frontier'.
(16) Does Hydro Tasmania advertise on SBS; if so, what revenue does
SBS generate from this.
(17) Did the SBS Ombudsman consult with others to provide a
rightofreply in relation to the Hydro Tasmania complaint.
(18) Will Dateline make available on its website the full interviews with
Hydro Tasmania and the Sarawak companies, to enable viewers to be
fully informed and make independent decisions in relation to the story.