Commercial Radio & Audio has welcomed the Australian government’s decision to suspend the country’s Commercial Broadcasting Tax for a further two years, while pressing for additional regulatory reform to support the long-term sustainability of the sector.
CRA CEO Lizzie Young said the extension, expected to be confirmed in the forthcoming federal budget, showed that the government recognized pressure on Australia’s local media businesses. “We are pleased the Government recognizes the need to support the long-term sustainability of Australia’s local media industry,” Young said. “A two-year CBT suspension is a step in the right direction for our sector, which carries regulatory burdens our global competitors do not face.”
The Commercial Broadcasting Tax is a levy applied to licensed commercial broadcasters in Australia. Its suspension was first introduced as a relief measure for the sector and will now continue for an additional two years.
Young argued that the tax decision alone would not be enough to secure commercial radio’s future, calling on the government to repeal what CRA described as outdated radio-specific rules and to address radio prominence — the issue of ensuring broadcast radio services remain easy to find on connected dashboards, smart speakers and other digital listening platforms increasingly controlled by global technology companies.
CRA says Australian commercial radio reaches 15 million listeners each week and contributes around A$1 billion annually to the national economy while supporting 6,600 jobs. “If we are serious about protecting Australia’s national media sovereignty and leveling the playing field against global technology platforms — whose impact on local media has been devastating — these further reforms are essential,” Young said.
She added that CRA would continue discussions with the government to secure “trusted news and emergency information that is free and easy to access” for local communities.
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Commercial radio reaches 12.8 million weekly listeners, CRA reports
