Smart State all over : Opportunities for broadcasting and content creation enterprises in regional Queensland

Abstract

In Australia, broadcasting and communications have been historically a federal
responsibility, with the states playing a negligible role in broadcasting, and a minor
role in communications policy. But it is apparent, from international developments in
the creative industries, that government at other than national levels has in recent
years provided significant impetus to this sector.
An historic opportunity exists for the Queensland State Government to apply ‘Smart
State’ policy orientations and initiatives to jobs and growth, and to promote regional
development through community engagement in creative industries, beginning with
interventions in broadcasting and building strategic opportunities in content creation
more broadly.
The immediate context is the withdrawal of news services in North Queensland. This
sudden withdrawal highlights the broader and longer-term erosion of ‘localism’ in
Australian broadcasting.
When this is added to the uncertainties attending federal government policies on
digital broadcasting and broadband development, the nation - and particularly regional
and rural populations – faces both short-term and longer-term crises in essential and
emerging communications amenities.