Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (15:45): I move:
That the Senate-
(a) notes that:
(i) in Australia there are twice as many people speaking languages other than English and that Australia is more culturally and racially diverse than 30 years ago, at the time of the formation of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS), and
(ii) research demonstrates that tensions and fault lines exist in Australia, with particular sensitivity around refugee intake;
(b) notes that Australia's SBS:

The Greens have released their SBS budget submission to Government, requesting a sustained funding increase in the 2012-15 triennium (read it here).

The submission includes a number of potential revenue measures that would pay for the funding increase, while still allowing the budget to return surplus.

Senator LUDLAM: To move:
That the Senate-

Notes that
1. In Australia there are twice as many people speaking languages other than English and that Australia is more culturally and racially diverse than 30 years ago, at the time of the formation of the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS)
2. research demonstrates that tensions and fault lines exist in Australia, with particular sensitivity around refugee intake.

Australia's second national broadcaster is at a crossroads. The 2012-15 triennial funding round provides an opportunity to reset the course of SBS and cement its position as one of Australia's most important cultural assets.

Tuesday 18 October, Environment Communication and the Arts Committee

Senator LUDLAM: Thank you for your opening statement and for joining us this morning. Welcome to your first estimates round. I would like to pick up on some of the things that you raised, particularly the budget question and your advertising revenues. My understanding is your forward estimates show that revenues from advertising will fall-not simply that growth is stalling, but that it will decline.

Mr Ebeid : That is right, yes.

The Australian Greens welcomed this evening's launch of the Friends of SBS by praising the broadcaster as "a vital service bringing Australians of diverse backgrounds together".

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said SBS is an important cultural institution and deserves adequate public funding.

"SBS was the first multicultural broadcaster established in the world. Today SBS radio transmits in a different language every hour and more than seven million viewers watch SBS TV in 63 languages every week.

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2011
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Question No: 114

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2011
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Question No: 61

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2011
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Special Broadcasting Service
Question No: 60

Senate Standing Committee on Environment and Communications
Budget Estimates Hearings May 2011
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Portfolio
Special Broadcasting Service
Question No: 59