
Govt passes bill for more access to VAST
In a busy week of government bills, was one linked to the Viewer Access Satellite Television service.
- Published by David Knox
- on
- Filed under News
The Albanese Government has now passed legislation that enables continued access to VAST in remote and regional Australia.
The Communications Legislation Amendment (Regional Broadcasting Continuity) Bill 2024 removes regulatory impediments so that more Australians can access the Viewer Access Satellite Television service, and broadcasters can move to more efficient transmission arrangements.
The Bill empowers the Australian Communications and Media Authority to declare an area to be ‘service-deficient’, which will allow audiences in the area to access services via satellite, should they wish to do so.
Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland said the legislation enables broadcasters to find more efficient ways to provide their services and use less spectrum.
“The Albanese Government committed to ensuring that all Australians have equitable access to media services, regardless of financial means or location, and this includes quality television broadcasting services.”
It follows Sunraysia’s loss of Channel 10 signal in July following the closure of Mildura Digital TV.
However access to VAST still comes at the user’s expense with an approved satellite set-top box and a satellite dish at around $800 which Free TV criticised as not realistic for many Australians during a cost-of-living crisis.
One Response
… “still comes at the user’s expense”? yes and no, users can and do access VAST through self-help retransmission, often operated by local councils …