Australian Greens

Principles

The Australian Greens believe that:

1. Freedom of the press and effective, affordable and accessible media and communications systems are integral to the functioning of a successful democratic society.
2. All Australians should be able to access a variety of affordable telecommunications.
3. Media diversity in content and format is a right of all Australians.
4. Strong, independent public and community media are an essential part of Australia’s media sector.
5. Australian content should be strongly supported and well funded.
6. Australia must have an independent regulatory framework for media, communications and advertising.
7. Public ownership of essential communications infrastructure is in the best interests of a democratic society.
8. Net neutrality is important for an open internet.
9. Digitalisation of broadcasting and other services requires government support and a public education campaign.
10. Documents placed in the public domain by government should be accessible with free non-proprietary software, and public data should be made available in open, inter-operable formats.
11. The government should lead by example and embrace open source and open standards.

Aims

The Australian Greens want:

12. Diversity of both opinion and ownership of media across Australia and a strict limitation on the number of media outlets an individual entity can own or control.
13. Our public broadcasters ABC and SBS to continue to be leaders in the production of independent news, investigative journalism, analysis, entertainment and innovative programming, be free of advertising and be funded to achieve these ends.
14. The ABC and the SBS to be governed by boards independent of government that include staff elected representation.
15. High quality Australian content across all media genres.
16. A vibrant and adequately publicly funded community media sector providing services that reflect geographical and cultural diversity.
17. Affordable and reliable high speed internet connections available for all Australians.
18. Australia Post to remain a publicly owned provider of postal services.
19. The equitable installation of new communications infrastructure across Australia.
20. Free and open publishing of publicly funded academic research within a 12 month period of initial publication and a research archive for all publicly funded academic research.
21. Truth in political advertising legislated.
22. A nationally consistent approach to the regulated sale of X-rated material.
23. Free-to-air coverage of important sporting events, and other events of national and cultural significance.
24. Individuals protected from defamation actions designed to stifle participation in public debates.
25. The protection of anonymous journalistic sources to ensure press freedom.
26. Reform of copyright and licensing schemes to give legal protection and clearer guidelines for fair use, crown copyright and public domain works.
27. Regulation of the internet to be transparent, accountable and protective of privacy, freedom of speech and access to information.
28. Transparency and public accountability for the workings of the Australian Classification Board and OFLC and the ACMA website blacklist.
29. The installation of communications infrastructure, including mobile phone towers, to be subject to improved state, territory and local government planning provisions and community consultation.
30. Adequate funding to maintain a healthy Australian film industry and to ensure Australia's cultural media history is preserved and protected.
31. The establishment of an independent regulatory body with adequate funding and powers.
32. Establishment of a national regulatory framework on energy efficiency standard for Data Centres.
33. Effective regulation of the digital games industry to ensure children are not exposed to excessive violence or sexual content.
34. Greater resources for libraries to improve their digital services.