2003 - 04 Annual Report - Sbs

60into the Russian musical tradition. In St Petersburg, theorchestra visited the Conservatorium, which had beenhome to students including Rimsky-Korsakov, Stravinsky,Glazunov, Prokofiev, Tchaikovsky and Shostakovich.The orchestra performed at The Gnesins College, one ofthe oldest musical institutions of Russia, with over 1000students. Its program, which included Schubert, Stravinsky,Cimarosa and the Lovelock, was very warmly received.At home, the orchestra performed at the Sydney TownHall, Sydney Opera House, the Conservatorium of Musicand a wide variety of other venues. The repertoire rangedfrom a jazz tribute to Don Borrows to ShostakovichSymphony number 12. The orchestra has produceda number of radio and television programs broadcaston SBS. A new program, Tchaikovsky and Italy, iscomplete and will be broadcast early in the coming year.Future Opportunities for Australia’s Film,Animation, Special Effects and ElectronicGames IndustriesSBS made a written submission and gave evidence atthe public hearings for the House of RepresentativesStanding Committee on Communications, InformationTechnology and the Arts Inquiry into the FutureOpportunities for Australia’s Film, Animation, SpecialEffects and Electronic Games Industries.In its submission, SBS highlighted the need forGovernment to support the development of informationtechnology and communications infrastructure thatfacilitates film and television production, such asbroadband, so that Australia can deliver comparableoutcomes to our overseas competitors. SBS describedpublic broadcasters as being in a good position to trial,test, promote, train and incubate these new technologies.GOVERNMENT ANDCORPORATE RELATIONSElectoral CoverageIn accordance with SBS’s Guidelines on the Coverageof Elections and Referenda, free air time on SBS Radiowas offered to the qualifying political parties duringthe Queensland Election period from 13 January to 7February 2004. The eligible political parties were theAustralian Labor Party and the coalition of the LiberalParty of Australia and the National Party of Australia.The offer of free air time was not accepted by any of theeligible political parties.GovernmentRegular senior-level contact was maintained throughoutthe year with relevant ministers and ministerial offices; theDepartment of Communications, Information Technologyand the Arts; the Department of Finance; the Departmentof Immigration and Multicultural and Aboriginal Affairs;and Treasury. SBS representatives had high-level contactwith government and other corporate bodies, particularlyin relation to major broadcasting policy developmentsand digital television policy. Submissions made during theyear included:SBS said that Australians want to see programs thatreflect the reality of their lives and of the nation. It alsosaid Australians supported future assistance for thedevelopment and production of Australian content.SBS supported the continuation of quota systems forAustralian content. SBS Independent was an exampleof effective and innovative use of resources and animportant source of distinctive quality Australian content.SBS noted public broadcasters play a specific andsignificant role in fostering the development of theindustry and highlighted the opportunities for publicbroadcasters to develop cost effective productionprocesses in conjunction with industry partners.Life-Long LearningSBS contributed to the Senate Employment, WorkplaceRelations and Education References Committee Inquiryinto the Progress and Direction of Life-Long Learning.SBS noted that its Television, Radio and Onlineservices have specific educational objectives in linewith its Charter obligations to “inform, educate andentertain all Australians”. For example, SBS Televisionbroadcasts programs in more than 60 languages,provides international news services such as SBS WorldNews, World News Tonight and World Watch, and