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

the community the applicant claims to represent are encouraged to participate in the
operation and programming of the service.
The following discussion sets out only the main features of an applicant's proposed
service in relation to these matters. A more detailed description of each applicants'
proposals may be found in the summary of evidence for each applicant at Appendix
A.
Catholic Broadcasting Limited
CBL is a company limited by guarantee. It has applied to the Australian Securities
and Investment Commission [ASIC] to amend its Constitution and is awaiting
approval. One of the amendments provides that membership is open to applicants
who are baptised Catholics or interested in the Catholic ethos, at least 16 years of
age, resident of the Melbourne metropolitan area, pay the relevant fee and agree to be
bound by the Constitution.
Each member is entitled to one vote in person or by proxy. The Constitution states
that one member shall constitute a quorum for all general meetings. CBL
acknowledges that this clause is inconsistent with the requirement that three directors
attend general meetings and undertook to increase the quorum to five members.
However, the amended Constitution lodged with ASIC does not make this change.
A minimum of three CBL directors are empowered with the management of the
company with positions advertised through Catholic churches in Melbourne. At the
licence allocation hearing, CBL indicated that members of the company may
nominate candidates, however, the directors will be appointed by the existing board.
The first CBL board was appointed by recommendation of the Archbishop’s
Strategic Communication Advisory Committee and consists of chairman, deputy
chairman, secretary and five ordinary board members. There is no requirement that a
director be a member of the service. None of the current directors have experience in
community broadcasting, although some have relevant experience in various
community organisations.
CBL’s board reports to the Roman Catholic Trusts Corporation (RCTC) for the
Diocese of Melbourne. CBL gave evidence at the hearing that it is theoretically
possible for the RCTC to remove the authority of the CBL board, however it would
be unlikely to occur. The ABA has accepted CBL’s claim that it has no direct link to
the formal structure of the church aside from reflecting Catholic teaching and values.
CBL proposes to establish a membership service body and a station management
committee comprising managers from the programming, sponsorship, operation and
production, and volunteer areas. A listener advisory board will also be formed to
provide opportunities to CBL’s community to become involved in programming.
Members of the company may join committees by invitation or application.
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