{"id":23685,"date":"2017-01-27T07:44:13","date_gmt":"2017-01-27T11:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/?p=23685"},"modified":"2017-01-27T07:44:13","modified_gmt":"2017-01-27T11:44:13","slug":"letter-from-australian-leader-of-the-opposition-to-the-prime-minister-regarding-nt-shortwave-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/letter-from-australian-leader-of-the-opposition-to-the-prime-minister-regarding-nt-shortwave-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Letter from Australian Leader of the Opposition to the Prime Minister regarding NT shortwave service"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Many thanks to SWLing Post<\/em> contributor, \u00a0Phil Brennan<\/a>, who shares the following letter sent to The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister, by Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition:<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister
\nParliament House
\nCanberra ACT 2600<\/p>\n

Dear Prime Minister<\/p>\n

I write in relation to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation\u2019s (ABC) decision to cease its shortwave transmission service in the Northern Territory from 31 January 2017.<\/p>\n

My letter follows repeated representations from members of my Shadow Ministry, Northern Territory Caucus and the Minister for Indigenous Affairs Senator Nigel Scullion to secure the continuation of this vital service.<\/p>\n

As you know, shortwave radio provides vital news and information services, including local radio and emergency messages that are crucial to those living in remote areas, particularly in time of natural disaster.<\/p>\n

The ABC\u2019s claim that the majority of listeners will be able to access ABC services via AM\/FM radio, digital radio and online streaming, or via VAST platform does not account for the reality of service availability in remote areas.<\/p>\n

This helps to explain why listeners and users of the ABC shortwave in the Northern Territory have been unequivocal in voicing their concern at the Coalition\u2019s failure to intervene in this matter. This includes emergency services workers and cattle growers.<\/p>\n

I am also deeply concerned that the ABC took this decision without satisfactory consultation with affected listeners, community representatives and emergency service workers and agencies. ABC Managing Director, Michelle Guthrie, has since acknowledged shortfalls in this regard.<\/p>\n

For these reasons I ask that you work with Labor, ABC management and local stakeholders as a matter of urgency to ensure the continued provision of shortwave radio service in the NT beyond 31 January 2017.<\/p>\n

Yours sincerely<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Bill Shorten MP
\nLeader of the Opposition
\nShadow Minister for Indigenous Affairs and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders<\/p>\n

26 January 2017<\/p>\n

cc: The Hon Mark Dreyfus MP, QC Mr Stephen Jones MP
\nSenator Malarndirri McCarthy Hon Warren Snowdon MP
\nMr Luke Gosling OAM, MP Senator the Hon Nigel Scullion<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Click here to download the original PDF version of this letter.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, \u00a0Phil Brennan, who shares the following letter sent to The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, Prime Minister, by Bill Shorten MP, Leader of the Opposition: The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP Prime Minister Parliament House Canberra ACT 2600 Dear Prime Minister I write in relation to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation\u2019s (ABC) […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[56,960,3,43],"tags":[2924,5484,5738,5451,5881,2704,5882,4743,368,2796,5708,34],"class_list":["post-23685","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-broadcasters","category-international-broadcasting","category-news","category-shortwave-radio","tag-abc-cuts","tag-abc-northern-territories","tag-abc-northern-territory-shortwave","tag-abc-northern-territory-shortwave-services","tag-bill-shorten-mp","tag-london-shortwave","tag-malcolm-turnbull-mp","tag-phil-brennan","tag-radio-australia","tag-radio-australia-shortwave","tag-radio-australia-shortwave-closure","tag-shortwave"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pn3uc-6a1","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":23891,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/02\/continued-public-support-for-restoration-of-abc-shortwave-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":0},"title":"Continued public support for restoration of ABC shortwave services","author":"Thomas","date":"February 2, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Troy Riedel, who shares the following from a Tecsun Radios Australia press release: Public support has been steadily increasing in favour of the #saveshortwave campaign. Opposition leader Bill Shorten has written to the Prime Minister to ask him to step in urgently to stop\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23156,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/abc-friends-plea-for-urgent-ministerial-action-to-retain-nt-service\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":1},"title":"ABC Friends: “Plea For Urgent Ministerial Action” to retain NT service","author":"Thomas","date":"January 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, Phil Brennan, who shares the following press release from ABC Friends. ABC Friends represents the community\u2019s interest in independent national public broadcasting: MEDIA RELEASE 5\/1\/2017 NEW THREAT TO LIVES IN OUTBACK PLEA FOR URGENT MINISTERIAL ACTION An urgent call for ministerial action to protect\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Friends_logo.jpeg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":23735,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/abc-unveils-enhanced-support-measures-for-those-affected-by-loss-of-shortwave-services\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":2},"title":"ABC unveils “enhanced support measures” for those affected by loss of shortwave services","author":"Thomas","date":"January 29, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: The Australian via Andy Sennitt) [...]In a statement yesterday rebutting opposition claims that the ABC\u2019s decision was somehow linked to government funding cuts, Communications Minister Mitch Fifield said the ABC\u2019s \u00addecision, announced unexpectedly in December, had since been \u201cconfirmed\u201d. \u201cWhile the ABC has confirmed its decision I think the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/12\/NorthernTerritory-Australia.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":23218,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/01\/with-loss-of-northern-territory-service-abc-recommends-amfm-and-a-satellite-phone\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":3},"title":"With loss of Northern Territory service, ABC recommends AM\/FM and a satellite phone","author":"Thomas","date":"January 7, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"Many thanks to SWLing Post contributor, London Shortwave, who shares this tweet from Northern Territory resident, Lisa Herbert. https:\/\/twitter.com\/MsLisaHerbert\/status\/814242065781358593 https:\/\/twitter.com\/LondonShortwave\/status\/816116105081159681 Read about the cuts to the ABC NT service and Radio Australia by clicking here.","rel":"","context":"In "AM"","block_context":{"text":"AM","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/am\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/01\/ABC-Shortwave-Ad-932x1024.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":36688,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2019\/03\/a-shorten-government-will-bring-short-wave-radio-back-to-the-northern-territory\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":4},"title":"“A Shorten Government will bring short-wave radio back to the Northern Territory”","author":"Thomas","date":"March 26, 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: RadioInfo via Michael Bird) The Shadow Minister for Financial Services, Clare O\u2019Neil, has told ABC Radio Darwin that a Shorten Government will bring short-wave radio back to the Northern Territory, after it was disbanded by the ABC in 2017, saying restoring the service \u201cis actually crucially important for safety\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "News"","block_context":{"text":"News","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Digitech-AR1780-Front-Angle-SW-AM-mode-1024x702.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Digitech-AR1780-Front-Angle-SW-AM-mode-1024x702.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Digitech-AR1780-Front-Angle-SW-AM-mode-1024x702.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":25045,"url":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/2017\/04\/radio-new-zealand-reports-vanuatu-asks-senate-for-reinstatement-of-abc-shortwave\/","url_meta":{"origin":23685,"position":5},"title":"Radio New Zealand reports: Vanuatu asks senate for reinstatement of ABC shortwave","author":"Thomas","date":"April 5, 2017","format":false,"excerpt":"(Source: Radio New Zealand\u00a0via Nigel Holmes) The government of Vanuatu sent a formal submission to the Australian Senate asking for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to resume its shortwave service. [...]In a letter, Vanuatu's prime minister Charlot Salwai said removing the shortwave service to Vanuatu could cost many lives in the\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Broadcasters"","block_context":{"text":"Broadcasters","link":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/category\/broadcasters\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/02\/Australia-Globe.jpg?resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23685","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23685"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23685\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23685"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23685"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/swling.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23685"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}