Communications & the Arts

Senate votes to stop closure of National Archives in TAS, SA and NT

Media Release | Spokesperson Sarah Hanson-Young, Bob Brown

Tuesday 17th November 2009, 6:13pm

The Senate has today passed a Greens' motion calling on the government to reverse a decision to close the offices of the National Archives in Tasmania, South Australia and the Northern Territory.

Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown said: "The government should properly consult with the public before closing down valuable public assets such as these. All Australians should have access to the collections in their home state or territory. Researchers in Tasmania, South Australia or the Northern Territory are no less valuable to the preservation of our history and culture."

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Motion to support SBS

Motion | Spokesperson Scott Ludlam

Wednesday 18th March 2009, 12:00am

SPECIAL BROADCASTING SERVICE CORPORATION

Senator BOB BROWN (Tasmania-Leader of the Australian Greens) (3.50 pm)-I, and also on behalf of Senator Ludlam, move:

That the Senate-

(a) notes:

(i) the unique national broadcasting service that the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) provides to the Australian community,

(ii) the invaluable role that the SBS plays in promoting a multicultural Australia and the services it provides to Australians from non-English speaking backgrounds, and

(iii) that the inadequate funding provided to the SBS has resulted in the SBS having to undertake in-program advertising; and

(b) calls on the Government to ensure adequate funding and support for the SBS, free from political and commercial interference.

Question agreed to.

Howard Should Join Beazley to Adopt Greens' Phone Plan - Brown

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown

Friday 18th September 1998, 12:00am

Labor Leader Kim Beazley is to be congratulated for adopting the Greens" policy of making Tasmania a single local call area, Greens Senator Bob Brown said today.

"It"s three years since then Greens Leader Christine Milne called for all telephone calls within Tasmania to be charged as local calls.

"And it"s 18 months since she wrote to the state"s parties and interest groups proposing a joint campaign for a single local call zone.

"Labor has finally come to the party, and Mr Howard should follow suit", said Senator Brown.

"Tasmania is disadvantaged by having several STD charge zones with a population of only 470 000 while Sydney and Melbourne have a single zone each for populations of up to 4 million.

"Creating a single charge zone will give business a boost by promoting better networking and increasing the pool of potential customers who can be reached for the cost of a local call. It will remove inequities in access to the information super highway.

"Mr Howard should put Tasmania on line by lining up behind the Greens" initiative", said Senator Brown.

More information

03 6234 1633

Brown Condemns Howard Telstra Plot Challenge to Harradine

Media Release | Spokesperson Bob Brown

Sunday 15th March 1998, 12:00am

The Australian Greens have condemned the proposed sale of Telstra saying it will further split the rich and poor in Australia.

"Instead of selling this prime public asset, Mr Howard should make good his promise to stop rich tax cheats avoiding $700 million each year.

"Rural Australians and poorer people will get worse communication services while rich people avoid their taxes.

"Where Mr Howard hints at "social dividend" read "social division" as an outcome of a Telstra sell off.

Senator Brown said there is the scent of a Harradine sell-out in the air.

"Just last week Brian Harradine did another overnight backflip to back the government"s $315 million cuts to young Australians through the Common Youth Allowance Bill.

"Is a double backflip in the air with Senator Harradine"s assurances of his support for public ownership of 2 March going down the gutter too? It won"t surprise me", said Senator Brown.

More information

03 6234 1633

Ben Oquist, 0419 704 095