Australia – The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, has announced a range of measures to support Australia’s public broadcasters.

The government will provide an additional A$158.1 million over five years to the Special Broadcasting Service Corporation (SBS) to ensure it remains a vibrant and dynamic broadcaster, and to launch a new indigenous free-to-air television channel.

SBS will establish this free-to-air national indigenous television channel in the second half of 2012, available through the full reach of SBS’s terrestrial network and on the Viewer Access Satellite Television (VAST) service. The National Indigenous Television (NITV) service is working with SBS to set up this channel.

“In an increasingly multicultural society, the Australian Government recognises SBS as one of Australia’s most important institutions,” said Senator Conroy. “This represents the most significant funding boost SBS has ever had, and will ensure SBS can continue to provide a unique broadcasting service that includes comprehensive television, radio and online services.”

He added: “The independent production sector will also benefit from this funding boost as SBS continues to work with Australia’s creative industries to commission, produce, and acquire innovative, high-quality, and unique programming.”