Allocation of four community radio broadcasting licences for ... - ACMA

• The South Eastern Indigenous Media Association Inc (SL1150694, SL1150695,
SL1150722)
• The Victorian Muslim Community Information Service Inc (SL1150694, SL1150695,
SL1150722, SL1150683)
• Triple Seven Communications Inc (SL1150695, SL1150694, SL1150722)
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* Application later withdrawn
The application made by RPW Consultants Pty Ltd was withdrawn on the basis that
the applicant organisation was neither an incorporated association nor a company
limited by guarantee pursuant to s80(1) of the Act. Another application was lodged
by Radio 3SA Suburban Radio Inc to replace RPW Consultants Pty Ltd’s
application.
The ABA invited written submissions from the public on the applications received.
A number of submissions were received. Where submissions contained comments
about a particular applicant, the ABA provided the applicant with a copy and invited
their response to any of the issues raised. These submissions and any responses have
been considered in the ABA's assessment of each applicant. All submissions and
responses considered by the ABA were made available for public perusal on the
ABA’s website.
On 25 January 2001, the ABA decided to conduct a public hearing in May 2001 to
assist it to make its allocation decision regarding the Melbourne licences. The
hearing was then deferred in March 2001 pending the outcome of a legal challenge
against the Melbourne LAP. Following the resolution of that matter, the ABA
decided on 21 June 2001 to hold the hearing in August 2001. A panel, comprising
the ABA Chairman, Professor David Flint (presiding), ABA Deputy Chair Ms Lyn
Maddock and Mr Robert Le Tet, Member of the ABA, was appointed to conduct the
hearing.
On 13 July 2001, the ABA sent a notice of hearing to each applicant. The ABA
issued a direction to the applicants to attend a pre-hearing conference to finalise
arrangements for the hearing. The conference was held in Melbourne on 27 July
2001 and was attended by all 19 applicants for the licences.
On 19 July 2001, the ABA placed an advertisement in the Melbourne press advising
of the hearing and inviting members of the public to make written submissions to the
ABA about matters to be considered at the hearing.
Prior to the hearing, Christian Community Broadcasting Ltd and La Trobe Union
Radio Inc both withdrew their applications for all of the licences for which they had
applied. Christian Community Broadcasting Ltd joined Triple Seven Communication
Inc’s application for the Melbourne-wide licences. Central Melbourne FM Inc also
withdrew its application for the licences SL1150694, SL1150695 and SL1150722.