Meet the new Communications Minister

With Malcolm Turnbull now PM, he had to resign his post as Communication Minister. So today with the ministerial reshuffle, Malcolm appointed Victorian Senator Mitch Fifield as the new Communications Minister.

Mitch was Assistant Minister for Social Services and also happened to be a key supporter of Malcolm Turnbull challenging Tony Abbott for the Liberal leadership.

Mitch will be facing a few challenges in the new role, including the active push by some players who want the government to remove rules limiting their population reach and the rules limiting media ownership to two out of three forms of media. In addition, the rollout of DAB+ services to regional markets.

Joan Warner, CEO of Commercial Radio Australia said: “CRA congratulates Minister Fifield on his appointment and we look forward to working closely with him. 

“Broadcast radio plays a vital role in metropolitan and regional areas with the provision of local news and local emergency services information, the commercial radio industry will work with Minister Fifield to ensure all Australians continue to have access to robust and reliable, free, live and local commercial radio”.

Malcolm Turnbull was to be the keynote speaker at this year’s Commercial Radio Conference on the Gold Coast on October 9.  We will have to see if the new Communications Minister will attend or perhaps the industry’s own coup would be to still see and secure Malcolm Turnbull for the conference.