Threat to free-to-air sports - Imagine having to pay to watch the Melbourne Cup.
In Parliament today, Maria Vamvakinou defended Australia's current anti-siphoning laws and free-to-air sports coverage.
Introduced in 1992 under a Labor government, Australia's anti-siphoning regime is designed to prevent certain events, traditionally shown on free-to-air television, from being siphoned-off to pay TV stations.
During the government's recent changes to Australia's media laws, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, claimed that there were too many events listed under Australia's current anti-siphoning regime and that it needed to be pruned.
"I have received many emails from local constituents in Calwell who are rightly concerned about the future of free-to-air sports" Ms Vamvakinou said.
"I think that their concerns are completely justified, and that's why I wanted to speak on this issue in Parliament."
"Australia's anti-siphoning laws ensure that certain sports will always be available for all Australian's to watch, and not just available to those who can afford, or choose to subscribe to pay TV."
"This is why Australia's current anti-siphoning regime is important and needs to be protected" Ms Vamvakinou said.
Under Australia's current anti-siphoning regime, a total of 10 sports are listed for protection, along with the Olympic and Commonwealth Games.
These sports are the AFL, Cricket, Soccer, Rugby League and Rugby Union, Tennis, Golf, Netball, Motor Sports and Horse Racing.
Australia's anti-siphoning laws therefore protect such sporting events as the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Tennis Open, the AFL and NRL grand finals, and the Ashes test cricket.
"The following that these events have in Australia is well known, just as our love of sport is well known the world over" Ms Vamvakinou said.
"Whether it be promoting exercise among adults and kids, or the mateship that exists between those who play or barrack for the same team, or the way a sporting event can bring the whole nation together as we saw during the last Olympics or the recent Soccer World Cup, sport has long played a defining role in Australian culture."
"Sport has also taught many of us to have a go and get involved."
"I share the concerns of those in my electorate of Calwell who fear that the Government's media reforms could result in Australians having to pay to watch major sporting events that they should be able to watch for free."
"As elected representatives, it is imperative that parliamentarians serve the interests of those they are elected to represent."
"I fail to see how making Australian's pay for the sports that they can currently watch for free is in their interests at all" Ms Vamvakinou said.
"Like my Labor colleagues, I will continue to defend Australia's current anti-siphoning regime against any attempt this government makes to undermine its effectiveness."
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