Interview with Eduardo Jordan, 4ED FM, The Wire

SPEAKER: But first, the ALP conference kicks off tomorrow in Brisbane for the first time in five years. Federal MPs, Senators and Members will attend the highest decision-making forum where their party decides on its national policies. Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland will attend, and Eduardo Jordan asked her what was on the ALP's agenda.

MICHELLE ROWLAND, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS: There's probably three things. Firstly, it gives an opportunity to hear from the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and a number of other senior Ministers. And this brings together delegates who've been elected right around Australia from their local areas, but also a number of trade union representatives. This is the first time we'll all be gathered in one place under a Labor Government for a very long time. So, it gives an opportunity to hear directly from the Prime Minister and other senior Ministers. The second is concerning the national platform. We have a policy platform that is updated at each conference. We actually did it virtually a couple of years ago to update our platform and that takes into account various resolutions that have been moved by the states and territories. So, it's really a consolidation of Labor policies. The third is really an opportunity for those delegates to participate in debate and that's what it's all about. I expect some very lively debate on a number of topics.

EDUARDO JORDAN, HOST: Submissions close at the end of this week for consultation on a bill that would give more powers to the media regulator ACMA to combat misinformation online. What does the bill aim to achieve and what feedback have you heard so far?

ROWLAND: Sure. Well, we know that the vast majority of Australians are very concerned about the spread of mis and disinformation, and this is information that's verifiably false and can lead to serious harm. For your listeners to understand, the difference between mis and disinformation is that misinformation is the kind of information that is harmful, but disinformation is where it is pursued with intent. For example, if we have bad actors or rogue states who are seeking to infiltrate Australia with propaganda about democracy and undermine social cohesion very deliberately, that is disinformation.

We know this is a problem, it's been a problem for a long time. We've had the industry come together some years ago with a voluntary code for the platforms; we're talking Meta, Google, Facebook - those kind of platforms that your listeners will be familiar with. They're actually required under their own industry code to have measures in place to deal with mis and disinformation. We're picking up on that and I should be very clear about what it does and what it doesn't do. It doesn't give the Government, the Minister or the regulator any power to take down or censor any information. It's purely about holding big tech-the platforms - to account for their own policies.

JORDAN: You've also been vocal about gambling ads stating that the status quo is untenable. Could you please provide us with an update on what's happening on this topic?

ROWLAND: Certainly. W Only a couple of weeks ago, the House of Representatives did an inquiry into online gambling, so online wagering, and it had a series of recommendations. Probably the one your listeners will be most familiar with is around advertising, because we know so many people are concerned about the proliferation of advertising, about online betting. So, it's clearly an issue in society. We know that people are concerned about it.

Then you have broadcasting itself. On TV and radio, that is advertised as well. We're going through very methodically as a government, looking at the recommendations, but also seeing how they can be implemented. And you're absolutely right. I have made it clear that the status quo is untenable. We can't keep going the way we are, given the levels of community concern and the very clear evidence that this is causing harm to vulnerable Australians.

JORDAN: Now, since you’ve become Minister, you've visited several community radio stations. Your department is currently doing a review into the sustainability of the sector. And after seeing stations for yourself, what's your vision for the future of community broadcasting?

ROWLAND: I think there's probably two main things and it is a really good piece of work that we're doing here. I want to thank the community broadcasting sector for being part of it. I think the first is about what we can do better with the funding that we have. We know that whilst we have increased funding for the sector to $20 million in our first Budget, recognising the importance of community radio, community broadcasting generally, in terms of sustainability, what more can be done with that funding envelope, I think is one of the primary questions. And secondly, like a lot of organisations, there is a lot of reliance on volunteers. So, how can we promote more long-termism and more skills?

SPEAKER: Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland.