The Petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council the Federal Government’s decision to revoke the broadcasting licences of community television station Channel 31 (C31). During the current coronavirus pandemic, C31 has been able to nimbly adjust its programming to get crucial information out to minority groups in their own languages, assisting with religious broadcasting and continuing to provide jobs for its paid staff, volunteers and provide practical experience for students to launch careers in broadcasting. C31 receives no ongoing funding and the broadcast spectrum they use is not used by any other groups, nor are there plans for its use in the future.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Minister for Creative Industries, the Hon. Martin Pakula MP, and the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, the Hon. Ros Spence MP, to step in to plead a case to the Federal Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon. Paul Fletcher MP, to reverse his decision and instead provide ongoing licensing of community television.