POOR reception of the ABC radio signal in certain parts of Inverell was an issue that Senator John Williams knew about, and was keen to rectify. So he took it straight to the ABC managing director, Mark Scott, when he appeared before Senate Estimates Committee this week.
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Senator Williams brought the issue to the fore after Mr Scott told the committee that ABC Local was the emergency broadcaster in Australia.
“It’s not much good if you can’t hear the ABC,” Senator Williams said.
“I live just outside Inverell, my office is there, 12,000 people in town. The signal in many parts of the town is very, very weak. I have councillors come to me, I have people come to my office and say ‘Can’t you talk to the ABC and see if we can get the ABC signal?’ They want to listen to your programs.”
Senator Williams said the people out around Cobar and Wilcannia received a better signal and asked Mr Scott to revisit the matter.
“They do really have a strong argument. If your in an emergency, and you are a vital role in regional and rural Australia, (it’s) not much good if we can’t hear you,” Senator Williams said.
Mr Scott said the matter would be pursued with Broadcast Australia and the Australian Communications and Media Authority.
“They work out the policy and then the execution of that policy on behalf of the ABC. I’m surprised a town the size of Inverell may have difficulties,” Mr Scott said.
“Look it’s pretty good in some areas,” Senator Williams said. “But go up Lewin Street and other areas where a lot of people live there’s hardly any signal at all. I actually live west of town now, and my signal is stronger 15 kilometres west of town than when I was actually in town.”
Mr Scott said the matter of transmission for this area would be investigated and and Senator Williams would be notified as to its outcome.
