New laws just excuses-on-the-run

THE Rudd government’s media policy-on-the-run continues as it flags moves to introduce new laws forcing TV networks to hand back their $250 million-plus tax windfall if they don’t produce enough Australian TV shows.

A review of 10 years’ worth of data held at the Australian Communications and Media Authority indicates that the commercial networks never fall below the 55 per cent threshold in any case, the television networks mindful that any breach could mean they have their licence to broadcast revoked under existing laws.

So why the new laws to replace the old laws that have worked for ten years? Maybe, just maybe, the Rudd government’s policy-on-the-run is morphing into excuses-on-the-run.