COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Running costs for the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Additional funding is provided for the establishment and ongoing operation of the National Museum of Australia and the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies in their new facilities on Acton Peninsula, ACT.
Further Information
Funding of $128 million for the capital costs of the new facilities together with other one-off establishment costs of $18.9 million will be met from the Federation Fund.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding assistance for the costs of the ABC's conversion to digital technology
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation    
Funding of $20.8 million is being provided over five years, from 1998-99 to 2002-03, to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to assist with its conversion from analog to digital equipment. Digital conversion will enable the ABC to deliver improved quality services to viewing and listening audiences.

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding assistance for the costs of the SBS's conversion to digital technology
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation    
Funding of $17.7 million is being provided to the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) over 5 years, from 1998-99 to 2002-03, to assist with its conversion from analog to digital equipment. Digital conversion will enable the SBS to deliver improved quality services to viewing and listening audiences.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Continued funding for the SBS Independent Production Fund 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation   
Funding is being provided over four years to continue the SBS Independent (SBSI) Production Fund. Continued funding will enhance the quality, diversity and creativity of Australian content available to SBS audiences.
SBSI was established in 1994-95 to commission programming from the independent sector, to be broadcast on the SBS.  Funding was initially due to cease in 1997-98. 
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Additional funding for Australia's contribution to international telecommunications organisations 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Additional funding is being provided to cover Australia's international commitments to the International Telecommunications Union and the Asia Pacific Telecommunity.  
The costs of this measure will be recovered through carrier licence fees.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution  for Australia's contributions to international telecommunications organisations.
Further information
The International Telecommunications Union (ITU) is a global body concerned with international cooperation in telecommunication services and the use of radio frequency spectra.  Australia's contribution to the ITU is fixed every four years in Swiss Francs and is fully cost recoverable from the industry.
The Asia Pacific Telecommunity (APT) is a regional body which facilitates cooperation between governments and telecommunications companies on technical compatibility and efficiency of telecommunications operations. Australia's contribution is fixed at the General Assembly of the APT every three years.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for consumer representations in areas of telecommunications regulations
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
The Government will provide funding to individual consumer bodies, on application against specific criteria, to facilitate representation of consumer interests in relevant areas of telecommunications regulation and in policy review and development.
The costs of this measure will be recovered from the telecommunications industry through the adjustment of annual carrier licence fees.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution  for consumer representations in areas of telecommunications regulations.

COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for Australian Communications Authority's contract management of the National Relay Service 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Funding is being provided to assist the Australian Communications Authority in managing the National Relay Service (NRS) contract which involves monitoring and reporting on the performance of the NRS provider, reviewing NRS cost calculations, issuing quarterly invoices to carriers, collecting monies from carriers and passing the monies on to the NRS provider each quarter.
The costs of this measure will be recovered from telecommunications carriers.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution  for the Australian Communications Authority's contract management of the National Relay Service.
Further information
The responsibility for NRS contract management will pass from the Department of Communications and the Arts to the Australian Communications Authority from 1 July 1998, as set out in the Telecommunications Amendment Bill (No. 2) 1997 and the NRS Levy Imposition Bill 1997.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for the Australian Communications Authority for functions related to telecommunications interceptibility
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Under existing legislation, law enforcement and national security agencies are, under certain circumstances, able to intercept and gather information via telecommunications services.  Recently amended legislation has set up a new framework to ensure that permitted interception is technically possible and that in introducing new technology, carriers and carriage service providers consider the interception implications.

Funding will enable the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) to implement the new administrative arrangements.
The costs of this measure will be recovered through annual Telecommunications Carrier Licence Fees.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution for the Australian Communications Authority for functions related to telecommunications interceptibility.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for capital works and exhibitions for the National Science and Technology Centre
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
Funding will be provided in 1998-99 to enable the National Science and Technology Centre to undertake building and exhibition asset maintenance necessary to meet its public safety obligations, public interest objectives and revenue targets.  
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for the Australian Communications Authority for the administration of electromagnetic compatibility standards 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
The regulatory framework that sets standards limiting unintended emissions causing interference from electrical, electronic and radiocommunications devices to other devices, is being extended to cover devices not currently subject to the standards.
Consumers will benefit through less interference to items such as televisions, radios and alarm systems.  The standards also protect consumers against inferior quality products.
The costs of this measure will be recovered through the Spectrum Management Component of Radiocommunications Licence Fees charged to industry.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution for the Australian Communications Authority's administration of electromagnetic compatibility standards.
COMMUNICATIONS AND THE ARTS
Funding for the Australian Communications Authority for monitoring a regulatory framework for electromagnetic radiation exposure 
Financial Implications ($m)

Explanation
The Australian Communications Authority (ACA) is introducing a regulatory framework for exposure to electromagnetic radiation by setting mandatory standards and establishing compliance requirements to limit human exposure to electromagnetic radiation in radiofrequencies.
Funding is being provided to the Australian Communications Authority to administer the introduction of the new framework and to monitor the effectiveness of the new arrangements.
The costs of this measure will be recovered through the Spectrum Management Component of Radiocommunications Licence Fees charged to industry.
See related revenue measure titled Industry contribution for the Australian Communications Authority's monitoring of a regulatory framework for electromagnetic radiation exposure.
Further information
Legislative amendments to the Radiocommunications Act 1992, introduced by the Government in July 1997, provided the ACA with the power to mandate standards for health exposure to radiofrequency electromagnetic radiations and to establish a compliance framework to ensure adherence to these standards.