Australian Polity, Volume 9 Number 3 - Digital Version

complies with its obligations and that remedies are
provided which are proportionate and related to any
alleged non-compliance’.
In New Zealand, TVNZ, a publicly owned television
company, requires complainants to complain in the
first instance to TVNZ itself. However, complainants
have appeal rights to the independent Broadcasting
Standards Authority, and ultimately can take matters to
the High Court, which is of equivalent status to Australia’s
Federal Court.
A proposal
Australian public broadcasters could be subject to ACMA
by repealing or amending section 79 and section 70 in
the respective Acts.
Furthermore, a Complaints Commissioner, as originally
envisaged, could be established for public broadcasters.
This action would achieve greater accountability than
currently exists.
I acknowledge the assistance of the Parliamentary Library in the
preparation of this article.
Australian Polity 17