Dear Productivity Commission
Please find below amended submission as was worded at 
hearings today in Hobart. Thankyou for availing this
opportunity to contribute to the hearings.   

Cadence FM Community Radio P.O Box 124 South Hobart Tas 7004 
(cadencefm@operamail.com)
Submission to the Disability Discrimination Hearings
Hobart Thursday 5/6/03

Cadence FM would like to thank the Productivity Commission for this opportunity to contribute to its hearings, into the Disability Discrimination Act.

Cadence FM has processed ,two anti discrimination applications against parties involved in the Broadcasting Industry. It is improper for us to disclose , whom the applications were and are currently against.

We would like to however voice our concern at the of lack of care and recognition of people with disabilities, and provide a suggestion for change.

It is important in the broadcast industry to enable equal right and representation, for any interested individual or group to have a voice.

Aside from 7RPH a service catering for the visually impaired Cadence FM knows of no other broadcaster in Hobart currently providing broadcast access to people with disabilities. Persons with mental disabilities were given presence on radio in Hobart, by Cadence FM but are now , to the best of our knowledge, given no such ability, due to  a decision the Board of the Australian Broadcasting Authority made on December 19th 2002.

Cadence FM works closely with Cosmos Recreation Service , a leading recreation service for people with disabilities in Hobart. Our role as a provider of radio delivery

was sadly exchanged for youth representation , by a decision, made by the board of the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA), on the 19th of December 2002.

The ABA showing in our opinion ,no concern for our relationship with Cosmos and Strathcare and for the loss of these programmes to contributors and listeners in Hobart. The ABA wording in its letter dated 23rd of December 2002 that Cadence FM failed to provide adequate opportunities for the selection and provision of programmes. We find this statement as clear evidence that the ABA did not enquire as to our provision of programming ,had the ABA done so it would have found ample evidence of programming assisting not only our local community but also assisting the disabled to have a voice in the community. The ABA in this same letter left us with no ability to counter its ill researched claims.

Cadence FM supports Strathcare with radio programming, who in their caring role, support the  elderly and people with disabilities. Likewise the ABA has shown no  regard for these people. Our continued requests for radio licence to the ABA ,and  to Senator Alston is being met  with silence. We have written on at least 10 occasions to Opposition spokesperson Lindsay Tanner , who has not on any occasion even acknowledged our letters. 

Cadence FM despite this loss of broadcast ability , has continued its relationship with both Cosmos Recreation Services and Strathcare.

CadenceFM ,in May 2003 provided a 6 day broadcast under a special events licence to the Works Festival Cadence FM provided in this brief period , programme for both Cosmos and Strathcare.

The Works festival an initiative of Kickstart Arts, and the Glenorchy City Council, has long recognized the representation by people with disabilities , providing representation to both Cosmos and Aurora Disability services. 

Cadence FM, an association formed in 1997, and entirely volunteer run, up until December 2002 held a community broadcast licence. Cadence FM contributes entirely at its own cost, to providing forum and representation to many diverse interested groups who have sought our high standards of presentation.
 
The funding body behind community radio, The Community Broadcasting Foundation we consider, also fails to interest itself enough, in the pursuits of community stations, until such time as the ABA has allocated permanent services.

The only means of obtaining funding that we know of whilst holding as a Temporary Community Licence (TCBL ) is to try and access grant funding, despite our efforts Cadence FM was unsuccessful in accessing any such funding.
 
There has been no enquiry that we know of , that has asked of how people with disabilities are represented in community broadcasting.

We find disgust at the ABA 's recent decision to ignore our need of representing , as one of many interested groups, people with disabilities, and their continued silence ,of our request for reissue of a community broadcast licence. 
In total contrast to Australia's lack of interest , New Zealand provides care and concern to adequately  represent the Community radio broadcast of people with disabilities. New Zealand providing what is termed Access Radio , the funding criteria stating " We will take into account the extent to which the station reflects the diversity in the community, and in particular, the interests of women, children, the disabled, minorities and ethnic minorities and non profit community groups".

Cadence FM considers there is urgent need for outcome of these hearings, to also influence the  Broadcasting Services Act , and to adequately define non- profit community broadcasting, as opposed to bodies making application that are corporate Institutions in their own right, such as universities, and other colleges, together with hospitals etc. 

The radio reception for Hobarts main hospital ( The Royal Hobart Hospital ) is awarded to the highest bidder. This lack of sensitivity could easily be rectified with provision by 7RPH at least then assisting the visually impaired. The services provided , as they are on a monetary contractual basis , ignores provision by community radio stations.

Cadence FM is happy to contribute further submission ,if required at a later date. Thankyou once more for this opportunity to contribute to the Disability Discrimination hearings.

Chris Daly            Mick Swanton
President             Public Officer