May 20, 2026
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:44): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before addressing a question without notice to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development on the topic of regional media.
Leave granted.
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS: Yesterday, it was announced that Network 10's free-to-air channels will be pulled from televisions in the Limestone Coast and Riverland in early July. This comes after the distributor, WIN Television, and Network 10 could not reach a deal to continue Network 10's free-to-air channels, following the contract expiring on 30 June.
Regional viewers are now being asked to shift to digital platforms to access Channel 10 through streaming services. This change is being asked of regional viewers who may have limited access to reliable internet and may be less familiar with streaming technology. My question to the Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, therefore, is:
1. Is the minister concerned that the regions are being denied basic services?
2. What action has the government taken to ensure the Riverland and Mount Gambier can still have access to Channel 10 free to air beyond 30 June?
The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Minister for Forest Industries) (15:45): I thank the honourable member for his question. I may be mistaken, but I think the announcement was actually made last year, because I recall that we had a number of discussions in regard to it and then perhaps the final date and confirmation has been what the honourable member is referring to this week.
I am very disappointed by the decision. It is a commercial decision made by the media organisations involved. I would certainly prefer to see that it was not the situation and that those services continued. Unfortunately, it is a commercial decision by those organisations.\
The Hon. R.A. SIMMS (15:45): Supplementary: when proposals were made with respect to ABC's local programming the Malinauskas government advocated for those to be reversed. Is the minister aware of any advocacy that the Premier or other ministers have made in this regard?
The Hon. C.M. SCRIVEN (15:46): I am happy to take that on notice and bring back a response.