ABC Radio National campaign continues, Crook
Author: Tony Crook
Published on: 11-November-2011
Nationals WA Federal Member for O’Connor Tony Crook MP met with ABC Radio State Director Geoff Duncan yesterday to continue his campaign to deliver ABC Radio National to Bridgetown residents.
Mr Crook said the campaign has had tremendous support from the Bridgetown community.
“For a town with a population of around 2000 residents, I have received a response from 498 residents – almost 25 per cent of the town – calling for ABC Radio National to be broadcast in Bridgetown,” Mr Crook said.
Mr Crook facilitated a community-driven campaign – including a petition and a postcard drop - to deliver ABC Radio National to the South West town.
“This campaign has been driven by the Bridgetown community. Local residents raised this issue with my office, local media has promoted the cause, and local businesses have displayed petitions in their stores and encouraged the community to support this issue.”
While visiting Perth this week, Mr Crook briefed Geoff Duncan on the issue, and formally presented the petition to the ABC – along with more than 100 postcards which had been directed to the ABC from Bridgetown residents.
“The ABC indicated to me that they would look into this issue further and provide a response to my office.”
Mr Crook said he will also be contacting the Minister for Broadband, Communications and The Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, to inform him of the petition.
“While the Federal Government is pushing forward with the National Broadband Network, Bridgetown residents are disappointed that they do not even have adequate radio coverage.”
Mr Crook also thanked Bridgetown resident Richard Lamb for raising the issue with his office.
“Mr Lamb has clearly recognised an issue in his town and taken steps to address it. I hope we can deliver a positive outcome for Mr Lamb and all Bridgetown residents.”
Bridgetown is one of the largest towns in the South West not to have access to ABC Radio National.
Bridgetown residents with access to the internet can listen to ABC Radio National live online at www.abc.net.au/rn and those with satellite television can listen to ABC Radio National through their television.
See this article on the member's website