LNP secures future of Cherbourg Aboriginal radio service

9 October 2018

LNP secures future of Cherbourg Aboriginal radio service
Cherbourg and the entire South Burnett region can once again enjoy listening to their favourite local Indigenous broadcasting service following collapse of the service under the previous provider.

The Coalition Government will invest more than $580,000 into the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council to deliver the Indigenous radio service to be broadcasted from the former “Us Mob” radio studio in Cherbourg.

Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion acknowledged that the region had been without a local Indigenous broadcaster for some time and thanked the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council and local Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien for their hard work and strong advocacy to bring back this much loved and needed service.

“Indigenous broadcasting services provide much more than a radio service. They contribute to strengthening culture, community development and the local economy and I thank the Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council for stepping up to deliver this important service for the benefit of the Cherbourg and wider South Burnett region,” Minister Scullion said. 

Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said he was delighted to see this wonderful local radio service continue.

“Regional and Indigenous communities know just how important it is to have their own stories and voices on the airwaves and especially want to know that there will always be local news and local content when they turn on their radio,” Mr O’Brien said.

“The reinstatement of this Indigenous broadcasting service will not only deliver local employment for media professionals, but will once again keep the community informed and facilitate sharing of Indigenous culture, news and events.

“The Coalition Government understands just how crucial these radio services are to maintaining strong and proud regional communities who each have their own identity, and we will always fight to ensure regional and Indigenous radio services remain strong into the future,” Mr O’Brien said.  

“The Coalition Government is absolutely committed to creating opportunities and advancing the lives of Australia’s First People and this radio service is just one example of how we are working with local organisations to pursue a these opportunities,” Minister Scullion said.

This funding is part of the Coalition Government’s significant investment of $63 million over three years through the Indigenous Advancement Strategy to the Indigenous Broadcasting, Media and Communications sector which supports 120 Indigenous broadcasting services across Australia. These services deliver broadcast and media activities, provide training and employment opportunities, as well as promote community messages in local languages.
ENDS