Mr MAREK —My question is directed to the Minister for Administrative Services representing the Minister for Sport, Territories and Local Government. Minister, I am a former rugby league player and now a rugby league referee.

Mr ACTING SPEAKER —Let us get to the question, the member for Capricornia!

Mr MAREK —I know a great number of my constituents in the Capricornia electorate are keen followers of the greatest game of all. With this in mind, many people in my electorate have contacted me over recent statements in the media stating that the ABC will no longer continue to broadcast the game on regional radio. Will the minister confirm or deny whether the ABC will be making this change?

Mr JULL —I can vouch for the member for Capricornia's prowess on the football field. I have seen him play. But the government does recognise that the ABC will need to make adjustments to its programming output in light of reduced funding levels and that planning and implementation must commence now.

To assist the ABC in this task, the government set up the Mansfield review to establish clear priorities for the ABC. Within the review's terms of reference, the government spelt out priority areas which it expects the review to consider. These are: independent news and current affairs services which are accurate, impartial and comprehensive; high quality information and entertainment services which contribute to a sense of national identity; and services which fulfil the needs of rural and remote communities, children and other significant groups not well served by other broadcasting services.

In terms of the rugby league coverage, listeners of the ABC regional radio in rural New South Wales and Queensland would clearly suffer if such broadcasts were discontinued. Therefore, the government would expect the ABC to consider this very carefully before making final decisions on the matter.