The Australian Greens have confirmed their support for NBNCo remaining a publicly-owned fibre-to-the-home (FTTH) network, and urged the Opposition to reconsider its proposal to leave up to nine million households and businesses stranded on an obsolete copper network.

The Coalition's alternative broadband policy is 'planned obsolescence' on a vast scale, and will deliver a rehashed ALP broadband policy from 2009, the Australian Greens said today.

"The Coalition has finally come out with its first detailed policy, and it's a farce," Greens Leader Senator Christine Milne said.

"We need long-term vision, nation-building infrastructure that will meet Australia's needs for future generations, not cheapskate measures that will cost us more later on.

The Australian Greens have backed the right of journalists to protect their sources in the face of more attempts by Gina Rinehart to force reporters to turn over notes and correspondence relating to news articles.

The Greens communications spokesperson, Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam, said the right to protect sources was critical to journalists doing their job.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam. 21 March 2013.

Regardless of the outcome of factional turmoil within the ALP, the case for reform of media regulation will become more urgent by the day, Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

SENATE QUESTION
QUESTION NUMBER: 2821
Senator Ludlam asked the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs upon notice, on 11 February 2013:

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.

Question on notice no. 2395
Senator Scott Ludlam: asked the Minister for Broadband,
Communications and the Digital Economy on 30 October 2012:
With reference to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) :
(1) Did the ABC close down the TV Arts unit resulting in the loss of
approximately 16 positions.
(2) How does the ABC identify programs as ‘specialist'.
(3) How does the ABC conduct research to make decisions about Radio
National in relation to attracting younger audiences.

Question on notice no. 2820

CHRISTINE MILNE: We're on the cusp of securing media reform in Australia. This is something that the Greens have been campaigning for, working for, for a long time, negotiating in good faith. I'm pleased to say that we have reached an agreement with the government on two major areas of concern.