58 Annual Report 2004–05

in any situation

Four Corners camera operator | Banda Aceh | Boxing Day 2004 Tsunami

When the Boxing Day 2004 tsunami struck, the ABC was the first Australian broadcaster to have journalists on the ground in affected areas. Jakarta-based correspondent Tim Palmer was the first member of the foreign media other than Arab TV station Al-Jazeera to be in the devastated city of Banda Aceh. Within 24 hours, East Asia correspondent Peter Lloyd was in Phuket and South Asia correspondent Geoff Thompson reached Galle in Sri Lanka. For the first few days they worked virtually around the clock, sleeping when and where they could and dependent on the supplies they had carried in themselves.

The ABC’s international services Radio Australia and ABC Asia Pacific provided the people of the devastated region with crucial information through news reports, community service announcements and warnings.

The ABC’s ability to provide such rapid, on-the-spot coverage of international events is a result of its commitment to maintaining 12 overseas news bureaux–more than any other Australian media organisation. 59 Annual Report 2004–05

The 7:30 Report and Four Corners are as good as any news program in the world

male 30s, Melbourne 60 Annual Report 2004–05

Sue Howard Director of Radio

A lifetime passion for the wireless became a lifetime career when Sue Howard joined the ABC in 1986. She has presented programs on Radio National, ABC Classic FM and Local Radio and achieved some impressive firsts for the ABC, pioneering ABC Radio’s midnight-to-dawn shift, becoming the first woman to present a Breakfast program in 1993 and the first female Local Radio manager when taking on the combined metropolitan and regional management responsibilities in Victoria in 1996.

Sue was appointed Head of Regional Services in 1996 and Director of Radio in 2000. She remains passionate about the wireless. Sue holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash and a Diploma of Education.

ABC Radio extended the availability ABC Radio of its services on multiple platforms through increased online streaming and In 2004–05, ABC Radio delivered the introduction of podcasts of triple j, comprehensive coverage of local, national dig, Local Radio and Radio National and international events through its traditional programming. This use of multiple core services while continuing to face the platforms provides audiences with challenge of the digital future. greater freedom to determine their listening schedules. Local Radio stations maintained the growth in tailored local programming digJAZZ joined the main dig channel as an achieved in 2003–04 through National audio service on free-to-air digital television Interest Initiatives (NII) funding and provided and all ABC Radio services became available comprehensive coverage of the 2004 Athens on subscription television platforms in June Olympic Games to Australians in regional 2005. ABC Classic FM and dig continue to and metropolitan Australia. The network be available on digital radio trials in Sydney established the ABC’s first regionally-based and Melbourne and ABC NewsRadio Radio Sport broadcaster in Townsville to in Melbourne. provide local sports content for radio and online throughout Northern Queensland. Distinctly Australian In its fourth year, the ABC Radio Regional ABC NewsRadio celebrated its tenth Production Fund (RPF)—established with Anniversary in August 2004, and launched new NII funding to identify and showcase new FM frequencies in Canberra and Tuggeranong, talent in regional Australia—commissioned ACT, in June 2005. The ABC called for tenders 106 hours of new Australian content across for the extension of ABC NewsRadio to 72 ABC Radio networks. regional centres with populations over 10 000. The Australian Snapshots project Internet music service dig introduced two distributed 150 disposable cameras new specialist music streams—digJAZZ in to Local Radio listeners across regional October 2004 and digCOUNTRY in April 2005. Australia to photograph aspects of daily 61 Annual Report 2004–05

Australia’s longest running radio program, The Country Hour, broadcasting live from Pine Creek, Northern Territory, as part of its 60th Anniversary Roadshow. life that created a sense of belonging Fresh Air 2004 attracted over 500 musical within their community. The result was a entries from unsigned and unpublished spontaneous photographic collection of regional musicians. The winning selections more than 4 000 images depicting Australian received airplay on Local Radio, dig and life. The photos were published on a special Radio National. The artists were invited to website that also contained a poll to select play at the ABC Exhibition Trailer stage at the public’s favourite photos and a selection the 2004 Queenscliff Music Festival in of the images as desktop wallpapers and November and at various The Country e-cards. A regional touring exhibition of Hour 60th birthday concerts. 40 of the best photos was launched at the Museum of the Riverina in Wagga Wagga in Australian Music November 2004. By June 2005, the exhibition In 2004–05, ABC Radio networks met or had travelled to Parkes in New South Wales exceeded their Australian music performance and Geraldton, Kalgoorlie, Perth and targets. Since inception, the new digJAZZ Bunbury in Western Australia. and digCOUNTRY Internet streams have exceeded their targets. The RPF commissioned Australia’s first art exhibition curated by the Australian public. triple j introduced the J Award for outstanding Radio National’s The Deep End teamed achievement in Australian music. A team up with the Newcastle Region Art Gallery, headed by network Music Director, Richard presenting listeners with a curatorial Kingsmill, each month nominates an album, decision each week and encouraging them with the inaugural Best Australian Album to vote online for their choice. The result J Award to be announced at the end of 2005. was a real-life exhibition that opened in May Nominations to date have included Autumn 2005 at the Newcastle Region Art Gallery. Flow by new talent Lior and When the Dust Settles by Downsyde. The RPF Short Story 2005 competition attracted huge interest with more than 2 000 AusMusic month on triple j included a special regional writers submitting unpublished stories Live at the Wireless broadcast featuring of 650 words on any subject. Twenty-six stories unearthed success and ARIA Award winner, were chosen for national broadcast on Local Missy Higgins. Radio and Radio National and for online streaming. The winning writers each received $650. 62 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Radio (Continued)

For the first time, ABC Classic FM carried the Port Lincoln community including live broadcasts of the APRA Australian The Country Hour and the Late Afternoons, Music Centre Classical Music Awards from Evenings and Weekends programs. ABC the Sydney Conservatorium, as well as the Classic FM’s popular music education Symphony Australia Young Performers program Keys to Music presented a concert Awards, which culminated in a live broadcast featuring the Stellar Wind Quintet performing of the grand final from the Sydney Opera music ranging from Mozart to Malcolm House Concert Hall. Arnold’s humorous arrangements of sea shanties. dig continued its support of Australian music at the Queenscliff Music Festival in In September 2004, ABC Classic FM 2004, simulcasting Radio National’s Live presented a baby grand piano to Wangaratta On Stage performance of Xavier Rudd, West Primary School in Victoria, winners of and recording and providing as audio-on- Grab The Goanna, a competition open to all demand interviews and performances Australian schools held every four years in by other Australian musicians including conjunction with the Sydney International Nessa Morgan, Hat Fitz and Dave Hole. Piano Competition. To celebrate the school’s win, ABC Classic FM hosted and broadcast Australian Communities live across Australia, a special concert The Boxing Day tsunami drew Australian recital from Wangaratta featuring Jayson communities together in support of those Gillham playing the prize piano. affected by the disaster. In addition to news and current affairs coverage, ABC Radio ABC Classic FM also broadcast directly from networks provided a local perspective the Bundaleer Forest Concert Weekend in on the global catastrophe, interviewing outback South Australia. The community- representatives of Asian communities in organised concert featured popular works Australia, charity and volunteer organisations, performed by leading soloists, including the Prime Minister and Government Teddy Tahu Rhodes and members of the Ministers, as well as people in tsunami- Adelaide Symphony Orchestra. The network affected countries. also recorded concerts of local artists in regional Tasmania as part of the Ten Days During bushfires on the Eyre Peninsula on the Island festival. and in the Adelaide Hills, as the official emergency broadcaster, Local Radio South Local Radio Victoria worked with the Australia provided updated information from Victorian Country Fire Authority to organise metropolitan and country fire services to the 2004–05 fire awareness and education listeners affected by the fires. campaign. As part of the Emergency Services Memorandum of Understanding To lift the spirits of communities devastated between Local Radio Victoria and the by bushfires, ABC South Australia staged Victorian Emergency Services, a series of the Lower Eyre Peninsula Road Show, road signs was erected to remind people including an RPF-supported community in regional Victoria to tune into their ABC concert in Port Lincoln. Local Radio South Local Radio station in an emergency. Australia presented live broadcasts to 63 Annual Report 2004–05

Local Radio in Queensland, Western Australia affecting the region. It was moderated by and the Northern Territory responded to the the Central Darling Shire Council General emergency posed by Cyclone Ingrid. Teams Manager, co-chaired by the ABC Radio in Townsville, Cairns, Darwin, Broome and presenters and attended by over 500 Kununurra provided around-the-clock people including politicians, business information on the cyclone’s progress and and community leaders. likely impact on local communities, as well as filing stories for national programs to As Rural Radio’s The Country Hour gears keep all Australians informed. Broadcasts up for its 60th birthday in December 2005, were supported by detailed background a competition was held to select one town information on Local Radio’s The Backyard in each State and the Northern Territory websites. to host a Country Hour 60th Anniversary Roadshow to celebrate this milestone in In 2004–05, triple j hosted two One Night regional Australia’s history. Towns nominated Stand concerts featuring live Australian three stories for broadcast on The Country music. In July 2004, the population of Hour in 60 years time and determined six Natimuk in Western Victoria grew from objects to include in a time capsule. From 500 to more than 8 000 to hear local band 116 entries, the seven successful towns Less than Perfection supporting major were announced in April. The Country Hour bands Eskimo Joe, Koolism, Grinspoon and Roadshow, comprising a Country Hour The Dissociatives. Ayr in Queensland beat outside broadcast, a birthday barbeque, 28 other towns for the opportunity to host a community skills workshop and a free the 2005 One Night Stand, collecting over concert, is travelling monthly from May 4 000 signatures of support from the to November 2005. The first two towns to town’s 8 500 population. A crowd of 10 000 celebrate were Rainbow in Victoria in May witnessed the May 2005 event, which was and Pine Creek in the Northern Territory hosted by Breakfast presenters Jay and in June. the Doctor. Local band A14 supported major Australian bands, End of Fashion, Cross-Media Innovation Katalyst, Shihad and Hilltop Hoods. ABC Radio pioneered the use of podcasting content for Australian audiences. triple j During NAIDOC week in July 2004, listeners can download MP3 tracks heard Life Matters’ Julie McCrossin and ABC on the network and podcasts of a range Far West’s Peter Jinks co-hosted a live of content from programs including Hack, two-hour simulcast on Radio National and Sunday Night Safran and Dr Karl. dig Local Radio Far West (Broken Hill), Central podcasts a selected range of live music West (Orange) and Western Plains (Dubbo) content and Local Radio’s Sunday Profile from the town of Wilcannia in the far west is available as a regular podcast on The of NSW, exploring the future of the region. Backyard. Most recently, Radio National The second hour was also broadcast on commenced a podcast trial of eight Radio Australia. Guests included the Minister programs—All in the Mind, Background for Immigration and Multicultural and Briefing, The Deep End, Late Night Live, Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon. Life Matters, The Night Air, The Science Amanda Vanstone, and Senator Aden Show and Street Stories. The response Ridgeway. A public forum was held the suggests that the ability to time-shift their previous day to examine social issues listening is a high priority for audiences. 64 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Radio (Continued)

Online streaming of ABC Radio services In May 2005, ABC Radio hosted a Digital increased in 2004–05, with the addition Futures seminar to increase awareness of ABC Classic FM streaming content as among ABC staff of the new digital rights permit and the streaming of 702 environment and foster initiatives and ABC Sydney, the first of Local Radio’s strategies that will sustain the growth metropolitan stations to be delivered in and development of ABC Radio in the this way. Other Local Radio metropolitan digital age. stations will be streamed progressively during 2005–06. Broadcast Highlights A special broadcast highlight of the year dig Internet services, Radio National, was ABC Radio Sport’s comprehensive triple j, ABC NewsRadio and Local Radio’s coverage of the 2004 Athens Olympic ABC Coast FM are streamed online 24 Games on Local Radio, which included hours a day and a vast amount of ABC more than 200 hours of Games coverage Radio content is available to audiences broadcast across Australia. The content through audio-on-demand. was also supplied to the Macquarie Radio Network under a rights agreement. The In November, a triple j site was launched sports coverage was augmented by Local on the Optus WAP service, facilitating access Radio’s reflection of Olympic personalities, to information about triple j activities, as issues and events at the community level, well as providing ring tones and wallpapers including events involving Australia’s Greek that can be downloaded for a fee. This community. 702 ABC Sydney broadcast live service, also rolled out to other providers, national coverage of the Olympics Parade increases the exposure of triple j to a large for Australia’s athletes and Radio National and potentially new audience. programs reflected the cultural and historical aspects of the Athens Games. For the first time, ABC Radio secured an agreement with Cricket Australia allowing Marking the 90th anniversary of the its radio coverage of test and one-day beginning of the First World War, Radio international cricket to be streamed online National broadcast Patriots Three, a six-part for the next four seasons. Similarly, the documentary series about the way in which Division secured international streaming Australia’s Prime Minister Billy Hughes, rights to the Australian Open Tennis Britain’s war leader David Lloyd George for 2005 and 2006, in addition to radio and the Australian journalist Keith Murdoch broadcast rights. changed the conduct and outcome of the War and the course of British politics. ABC Radio is supporting the development and trial of an online service looking at Australian writer and academic, covering local sports, especially in rural Peter Conrad, presented the 2004 Boyer and regional Australia. The trial will take Lectures on Radio National. Entitled Tale place initially in the Northern Territory. of Two Hemispheres, the series looked at how Australia has gone from being portrayed as a place of dread to a country that is now an object of desire. 65 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Classic FM, in association with limelight The National Australia Day Council has Magazine and ABC Classics, conducted The signed ABC Local Radio as the major media Classic 100 Piano, a nationwide survey to partner of the Australian of the Year compile a list of the country’s 100 favourite Awards in 2006. pieces of piano music. This culminated in the broadcast of two live concerts in Sydney Heywire, ABC Radio’s regional youth and Melbourne, featuring the top ten pieces initiative has received a commitment as voted by the audience and production of funding for the next three years. The of The Classic 100 Complete Box and Rural Industry Research Development Top 10 CDs. Corporation has confirmed its ongoing contribution, while the Department of Co-Productions Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and Partnerships has negotiated a funding collaboration Radio National continued its successful that includes contributions from the co-production partnership with BBC World Departments of Family and Community Service producing feature series on the Services, Health and Ageing and Russian Far East and a science co-production Transport and Regional Services. on desertification. Looking Ahead In conjunction with the Australia Council’s ABC Radio now generates extensive content The Program initiative, triple j has recruited on a range of platforms, including free-to-air J Arts Crew reporters aged under 25 years and subscription digital television and old from the listening public to report on arts through digital radio trials. It is estimated and culture in their state for the network. that ABC Radio generates approximately 50% of the content on ABC Online. In 2004–05, ABC Classic FM and ABC Classics Local Radio’s The Backyard was the third are working with Opera Australia on a most visited site, and in the Radio National co-production of the Gilbert and Sullivan podcasting trial, weekly downloads rose favourite, HMS Pinafore. The production to 100 000 after eight weeks. will be broadcast in September 2005 and released commercially in DVD ABC Radio recognises the profound and CD formats. effect of digital technology on the creation, distribution and consumption of media. The Country Hour Roadshow is supported In 2005–06, the Division will continue to by a grant of $2 500 to each host community provide its core traditional services while from the Foundation for Regional and Rural actively pursuing creative options for Renewal, which works with the private delivering content to audiences. sector, governments, community organisations and philanthropists to champion the economic and social strength of Australia’s regional, rural and remote communities. The grants will be used for key community projects identified during the community workshops. 66 Annual Report 2004–05

Sandra Levy Director of Television

Sandra Levy was appointed the Director of Television at the ABC in June 2001. She has an impressive list of production credits, including A Difficult Woman, Come In Spinner, True Believers, Police Rescue, Secret Mens Business, GP as well as feature films Serenades, The Well and High Tide.

Sandra was part of the independent production house Southern Star for ten years and before that was ABC Head of Drama from 1986 to 1989. She has served as a board member with the Australian Film Finance Corporation, the Australian Film Commission and the Australian Film Television and Radio School. She is on the Board of the Sydney Theatre Company and the NSW Cultural Management Committee.

Sandra holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Diploma of Education.

Australian content between 6am and ABC Television midnight increased to 52%, higher than the previous year’s level of 48%. First release ABC Television broadcasts distinctive content content remained at the 2003–04 level of across a comprehensive and diverse range 29% with repeat content 23%, compared of genres. In 2004–05, the service reflected with 19% in 2003–04. and described the Australian experience, focusing resources on increasing the volume Genre Diversity of Australian programming in evening prime Children’s time. Children’s programming remained the ABC Television continued to be Australia’s network’s day-time focus, in a year that most successful and comprehensive also saw the return of Behind the News, broadcaster of children’s programs, a service aimed at upper primary school providing quality viewing according to students. Arts content was increased need, age and maturity. through enhanced Sunday Afternoon programming. The network broadcast 1 984 hours of children’s television, an increase of 101 Australian Content hours compared with 2003–04. Of these, With a focus on peak viewing times, 548 hours were Australian children’s Australian content reached 57% of prime programs, an increase of 130 hours. time (6pm–midnight), an increase on 54% in 2003–04. In addition, first release In morning timeslots, ABC Television Australian content also rose slightly to recorded a 67% share of the 0–12 audience, 49%, compared with 48% in 2003–04. compared with 63% in 2003–04. In the Repeat Australian programs comprised afternoon, share of the 0–12 audience was 8% of hours broadcast, an increase on 62%, steady with the result in 2003–04. 6% in 2003–04. For the second consecutive year, ABC Television broadcast 99 of the top 100 children’s programs. 67 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Television broadcast two new ABC Launched in June, the landmark historical co-productions: the second series of the reality series, Outback House, provided a multi-award winning animation Tracey special perspective on Australian history in McBean and the live action drama Blue 1861. The first episode attracted a household Water High. In its first eight weeks, Blue share of 25%, four points above the 2004 Water High, a series about teenagers timeslot average, while the series average selected for a residential surfing school audience was more than one million viewers. achieved 63% share of 5–12 year olds. New episodes of the popular Creature Documentary Features and Play School continued to Under the Reality Bites banner ABC attract significant audiences. Television continued to air thought-provoking, distinctive Australian documentary series, The introduction of the RollerCoaster- such as Inventions from the Shed, Wild branded 5pm–6pm weekday children’s Valley, The Shearers and Opal Fever. Of the timeslot, which is linked with the ABC Online 46 half-hour Australian documentaries site of the same name, strengthened the screened, 32 were commissioned from network’s connection with older children. the independent sector. Following the RollerCoaster launch, the 5–12 year audience share increased by Wednesday evening documentaries 5%, while the share of 0–12 year audience included Australian series such as Airships, increased by 10%. which investigated the impact of flight on global history; it achieved an average Factual household share of 25%. Also premiering In 2005, ABC Television relaunched were Stories from a Children’s Hospital: Gardening Australia in a new weekend Chloe, the story of a young girl’s fight with timeslot and introduced five new half-hour leukaemia, and the award-winning The weekly programs that showcase ABC Man Who Stole My Mother’s Face. production outside Sydney and Melbourne: Talking Heads from Queensland, How The In its Sunday evening history slot, ABC Quest Was Won from Western Australia, Television premiered a number of significant Beat The Chef from South Australia and Australian documentaries. These included two series from Tasmania, Collectors All Points of the Compass, which examined and Second Opinion. a family’s dislocation after the Vietnam war,

The ABC’s living history series Outback House recreated life on an Australian sheep station in 1861. 68 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Television (Continued)

and Revealing Gallipoli, an international by Fire, about the 1999 referendum co-production exploring different sides in East Timor and its aftermath. of the conflict, which was broadcast to coincide with the 90th anniversary of Arts and Culture the Gallipoli landings. ABC Television continued to program a diverse array of arts content, including Drama and Comedy literature, film, and the performing and As a result of the timing of new program visual arts, across a range of formats, such commissioning decisions linked to the as review, documentary, performance and television scheduling year, Australian analysis. In 2004–05, 305 hours of arts drama and comedy declined on ABC programs were broadcast, an increase of Television, with 11 hours of first-release 29 hours compared with the previous year. programs in 2004–05. The network Australian arts programming also broadcast a total of 188 hours of Australian increased from 154 hours to 178 hours. drama and comedy programs, compared with 173 hours the previous year. Sunday Afternoon focused on Australian material, including the documentaries Viewers totalling two million watched To Russia With Love, which covered the the final episode of Kath and Kim (series Melbourne Symphony Orchestra’s journey 3). The series again proved a critical and to St Petersburg; Riley Lee: Breathing with popular success, attracting an average Earth, a profile of the Shakuhachi player; household share of 35%, compared with and festival special events such as Ten the 2002–03 timeslot average of 18%. Days on the Island, Tasmania’s biennial Comedy awards indicated the depth and cultural festival. talent of ABC comedy programs: The Chaser Decides, which achieved a household share Prime-time arts documentaries included of 19%, compared with the timeslot average Peter Berner’s Loaded Brush, about the of 13%, was awarded the 2005 Logie for history of the Archibald prize and Berner’s Most Outstanding Comedy Program, while desire to be recognised as a painter, and Double the Fist won the AFI Award for Inside Australia, about an ambitious project Best Comedy Series in 2004. in remote Australia by renowned sculptor Antony Gormley. ABC Television broadcast the telemovie Hell Has Harbour Views, a modern tale Other highlights included My Favourite of love and litigation, and the first episode Book, a 90-minute Sunday evening special of the award-winning medico-legal drama event, watched by over one million viewers, MDA, which returned in a three-part mini- in which a panel of well-known Australians series format. MDA received a household debated the ABC Television audience’s share of 16%, above the 2003–04 timeslot nominations for a favourite book. average of 11%. The Division held an ‘Art of Television’ The Division commissioned two high-quality workshop in 2004 to explore trends and Australian drama productions: a telemovie, approaches to arts television with program The Silence, and a mini-series, Answered makers, artists and arts producers. 69 Annual Report 2004–05

Entertainment Australian entertainment on ABC Television remained strong and diverse, with new series of The Einstein Factor and Strictly Dancing. New programs included Australian First Release and the music knowledge quiz Spicks and Repeat Content 6am–midnight, as Specks and the Memphis Trousers Half a percentage of Hours Broadcast Hour, which saw the return of comedy legends Roy Slavin and H.G. Nelson to ABC

2000–01 Television. The GlassHouse successfully moved to Wednesday evenings, gaining 17% in household share. 2001–02

Enough Rope with Andrew Denton continued 2002–03 to provide audiences with insights into the lives of the famous, the infamous and the unknown. A special episode featuring the 2003–04 Crown Prince and Princess of Denmark reached a series record audience of over 2004–05 1.5 million. The New Inventors consolidated its place, attracting average audiences of 0 10203040 over one million and household share of % First Release Repeat 23%, compared with the timeslot average of 19% in 2003–04.

Australian First Release and Education Repeat Content 6pm–midnight, as Behind the News, the education news a percentage of Hours Broadcast series that gives students an insight into current and world events, re-launched in February 2005. It was complemented by 2000–01 a new interactive website that provides students and teachers with a wide range

2001–02 of study materials, scripts and activities. Indigenous 2002–03 The Indigenous Programs Unit continued to produce stories by and about Aboriginal 2003–04 and Torres Strait Islanders, covering a range of content, including lifestyle, history and culture. Employing a new look and style, 2004–05 the weekly prime-time series Message Stick included episodes featuring Aden 0 102030405060 % Ridgeway, Bob Maza and Richard Frankland. First Release Repeat 70 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Television (Continued)

Indigenous documentaries screened Science and Technology across the schedule, including the two-part The weekly Catalyst series invited audiences Indigenous health series Crossing the Line, to see science as a dynamic force changing which received critical praise from the our world. With Australian and international Australian Medical Association, and Mr stories, the series covered scientific break- Patterns, the story of Geoff Bardon who, throughs, investigated the implications, together with the Papunya artists, was ethics and politics of scientific issues and a catalyst for one of the most significant showed how scientists work in the field. art movements of the 20th century. Catalyst features included Voyage to the Seas of Mars, which explored the notion Natural History of life on Mars, Planet of the Rings, a and Environment behind-the-scenes look at NASA during In addition to a second series of Aussie the journey of the Cassini spacecraft to Animal Rescue, about volunteers and Saturn, and its sequel Descent to Titan. In experts who care for native animals, the 2004–05, Catalyst attracted a household ABC broadcast Wildwatch 2, an innovative share of 21%, compared with the 2003–04 participatory wildlife project that drew on timeslot average of 19%. content from television, radio and online. Hosted by Peter Cundall, Wildwatch 2 built Special Events on the knowledge and information gained In April 2005, ABC Television broadcast from more than 27 000 surveys submitted the Gallipoli 90th Anniversary Dawn Service by ABC listeners and viewers of the live from Turkey. The ABC provided a live first WildWatch to identify native and broadcast feed of the service to other introduced pests. Australian broadcasters, as well as to broadcasters in Turkey and New Zealand. Prime-time documentary Terrors of Tasmania, about the Tasmanian devil, Sport won the Gold Medal at the New York ABC Television broadcast 224 hours of Festival and filmmaker David Parer national sport, including basketball, bowls, won the prestigious Milli Award for cricket, hockey, netball, soccer and tennis. Cinematographer of the Year. Highlights included the 2005 Hopman Cup, with 42 hours of live tennis coverage from Religion and Ethics Perth, broadcast for the first time in high Religion and ethics programming was definition. In addition, 443 hours of state focused around the Compass series, hosted and territory sport were broadcast in the by Geraldine Doogue. The program provided originating state or territory. a thought-provoking exploration of faith, ethics and values and contextualised Overseas Programs explorations of important subjects such Highlights from the overseas documentary as abortion in My Foetus, and suicide and slate included the series The Real Da Vinci euthanasia in the Australian documentary, Code and Seven Wonders of the Industrial Mademoiselle and the Doctor. World, each of which received average audiences well in excess of one million viewers. 71 Annual Report 2004–05

Australian Content as a percentage of Hours Overseas dramas Foyle’s War, Blue Broadcast 2000–01 to 2004–05 Murder, Red Cap, the Agatha Christie’s Poirot detective series, and Midsomer 2000–01 Murders each attracted audiences of over one million viewers. ABC Television 2001–02 also broadcast a new Doctor Who series and the multi-award–winning Carnivale, 2002–03 a six-part drama set in 1930s America.

Special events broadcast included 2003–04 6am–midnight the funeral of Pope John Paul II and the 6pm–midnight wedding of HRH The Prince Charles, Prince 2004–05 of Wales and Camilla Parker Bowles.

0 10203040506070 Production Outside % of Sydney and Melbourne ABC Commissioned Programs, First A total of 37.8% of ABC-made programs Release, Broadcast 2000–01 to 2004–05 were produced outside of Sydney and

Melbourne in 2004–05, the same level 2000–01 as in 2003–04.

ABC Television commissioned new weekly 2001–02 series including two programs from Hobart—Collectors and Second Opinion— 2002–03 two from Adelaide—Beat the Chef and Behind the News—as well as How The 6am–midnight 2003–04 Quest Was Won from Perth and Talking 6pm–midnight Heads from Brisbane. Goannas and the Rubbish Frog, about the invasion of the cane 2004–05 toad, was produced by the ABC in Darwin. 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 Hours Weekly programs Catalyst, Compass, Message Stick and Sunday Afternoon ABC Television Genre Mix 2004–05 continued to include segments produced as a Percentage of Hours Broadcast

outside Sydney and Melbourne. 6am–midnight (excludes interstitial material) S Arts Reli por New

t

High Definition Broadcasts gion 4%

4% Movies s

6% In 2004–05, ABC Television broadcast 1% 1 858 hours of high definition material, in Factua 1% l 8% 31% accordance with legislative requirements, s dren including 1 312 hours in prime time. Chil Entertainmen t 9%

5% tion Curr Educa Comedy ent A

6% 11% ffairs 3%

ary

Drama 11%

Document 72 Annual Report 2004–05

Most Popular ABC Television Programs 2004–05 Average Audience Kath and Kim (Series 3) 1 829 000 Seven Wonders of the Industrial World 1 638 000 Enough Rope with Andrew Denton (Danish Royal Couple Special) 1 539 000 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2004 1 416 000 The Truth of Troy 1 380 000 The Real Da Vinci Code 1 326 000 Krakatoa 1 324 000 Midsomer Murders 1 315 000 Life on Air: David Attenborough’s 50 Years in Television 1 258 000 Blue Murder 1 246 000 New Tricks 1 241 000 Himalaya with Michael Palin 1 236 000 Dalziel and Pascoe 1 225 000 Five-City Metropolitan Five-City Grumpy Old Women 1 215 000 Elvis by the Presleys 1 214 000 Ireland: Sculpted Isle 1 162 000 Agatha Christie’s Poirot 1 161 000 Red Cap 1 145 000 Rose and Maloney 1 116 000 Trial and Retribution: Suspicion 1 114 000 Source: OzTAM Television Ratings

Most Popular ABC Television Programs 2004–05 Average Audience Seven Wonders of the Industrial World 813 000 Kath and Kim (Series 3) 768 000 Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2004 754 000 The Truth of Troy 643 000 Ireland: Sculpted Isle 627 000 Elvis by the Presleys 617 000 Krakatoa 607 000 Grumpy Old Women 599 000 Midsomer Murders 585 000 Life on Air: David Attenborough’s 50 Years in Television 583 000

Regional The Real Da Vinci Code 580 000 The Amber Time Machine 572 000 Dawn of the Maya 566 000 Himalaya with Michael Palin 565 000 New Tricks 561 000 Australian Story 558 000 Dalziel and Pascoe 552 000 Blue Murder 551 000 Outback House 550 000 Supervolcano 547 000 Source: OzTAM Television Ratings 73 Annual Report 2004–05

Director of New Media Lynley Marshall and Digital Services

Lynley Marshall has over 20 years experience in the broadcasting industry. Before joining the ABC in 2000 as Director of New Media and Digital Services, she held a series of senior broadcasting positions in New Zealand, including Director of Independent Business Units for The Radio Network (TRN), General Manager of The Radio Bureau and General Manager TVNZ Enterprises.

Lynley manages the ABC’s digital strategy and content development, and represents the Corporation’s interests on various industry groups addressing the development of digital broadcasting in Australia.

Lynley holds a Master of Business Administration.

New Media and Digital Services

The ABC plays a leading role in the and Digital Services also worked closely Australian digital landscape, especially with the Corporation’s other output areas in the digital television and broadband to utilise the ABC’s existing production Internet environment. During 2004–05, strengths to develop cross-platform content. New Media and Digital Services focused its activities and output on the key drivers ABC Online influencing the changing media consumption The ABC website, ABC Online provides a habits of audiences to ensure that the ABC range of content across a variety of genres. retains relevance for Australian audiences. One of its main content offerings is News These included shifting lifestyle patterns and Current Affairs, the audiences for and the rapid developments of new media which have grown by 31% from 388 000 technologies. The Division delivered content unique users in June 2004 to 507 132 in using narrowband and broadband Internet, June 2005, according to Nielsen//NetRatings. digital television and mobile and wireless New Media and Digital Services delivers technologies to ensure that ABC content ABC News and Current Affairs content was available to Australians in their lounge using a range of technologies, including rooms, cars, offices or wherever else web pages, digital television, an email they choose to interact with it. news service, RSS feeds, podcasts and broadband news bulletins comprising New Media and Digital Services continued video news that is updated online five to retain and grow audiences for its services times each day. by delivering interactive content in a cost- efficient and sustainable way. The Division The Division has created new children’s developed innovative digital and interactive content across narrowband, broadband, television content for ABC2, ABC Broadband, mobiles and television. New Media and ABC Online and other platforms. New Media Digital Services updated its RollerCoaster 74 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC2, the ABC’s new digital television channel, was launched in March 2005.

website, aimed at 8–14 year olds, and Australian Snapshots online gallery to worked with ABC Children’s Television to present images of day-to-day activities in launch a RollerCoaster-branded hour on regional Australia. In June, the Division ABC Television. Increased awareness of launched Video Lives, a national video the brand through exposure on multiple competition encouraging people to film a platforms has seen the audience for the short story about the place and community RollerCoaster website grow significantly. in which they live. Finalists will have their In June 2005, the Hitwise ‘Australian Site work shown on ABC Online and screened Rankings’ ranked The Playground (0–8 in a highlights program on ABC2. years) and RollerCoaster (8–14 years) first and second respectively, for the fifth ABC2 consecutive month. According to In March 2005, New Media and Digital Nielsen//NetRatings, in June 2005 these Services launched the free-to-air digital sites together attracted 311 085 unique television channel, ABC2. With this channel, Australian users, compared with 215 000 the Corporation is able to leverage the in June 2004. popularity and brand strength of existing ABC content to provide alternative viewing Throughout the year, regional audiences times for ABC main channel programs, also increased. The Backyard, a gateway to screen new exclusive programs and deliver 60 Local Radio websites, reached 368 278 content produced by New Media and Digital unique Australian users in June 2005, Services for both ABC2 and the integrated compared with 298 000 in June 2004 ABC Broadband service. ABC2 offers various (Nielsen//NetRatings). The Backyard sites types of programming, including children’s, provide ABC Local Radio, news, weather documentary, arts, international and and audience-generated local event diaries. regional news.

ABC Online has encouraged community Following the launch, New Media and interaction across all its sites by providing Digital Services introduced new programs, opportunities for user-contributed content experimented with new programming and online forums, guestbooks and mailing formats and cross-media production, lists. During August 2004, New Media and and utilised the cross-promotional Digital Services joined with ABC Radio’s abilities of all its media platforms. Regional Production Fund to produce the 75 Annual Report 2004–05

One of the most important parts of the In collaboration with News and Current ABC2 schedule is the children’s programming Affairs, New Media and Digital Services that is broadcast throughout the day. This developed the Special Broadband Edition of enables families and children to switch Four Corners, which enhances Four Corners between the ABC main channel and ABC2 television programs using additional video throughout the day and access continuous, footage, web pages, maps, timelines, safe and trusted ABC children’s programming transcripts and interviews. This interactive every weekday and Saturday morning. format has the potential to be extended to other programs and across digital and In establishing ABC2, the Corporation was interactive television and wireless platforms. able to achieve cost efficiencies by using The Division also worked with ABC Radio on fully-automated and integrated production cross-platform content, including podcasts and delivery processes. New material is of ABC Radio National programs. created in the ABC’s broadband studios in Sydney and Brisbane for broadcast on ABC2, Another cross-platform initiative was ABC Broadband and wireless platforms. Australia Wide, which combines state These are mostly short-form programs and news stories to create a 15-minute daily interstitial content, including animations, segment that is delivered through ABC music videos, children’s education and Broadband and repeated throughout the entertainment programs. day on ABC2.

At the time of ABC2’s launch, there For the 2004 Federal Election, the were 1.7 million digital televisions and Division developed a range of content for set-top-boxes in the Australian market place. other platforms, including live interactive By the end of June 2005, this had increased television. Extra content and latest counts to over 2 million, comprising 920 000 digital in any electorate were available to digital free-to-air receivers and 1.2 million television viewers at the press of a button. subscribers to AUSTAR or FOXTEL digital Counts were updated every two minutes subscription television services. Within and, as information changed, so did the three months of its launch, ABC2 reached display. This was complemented by an 92 000 FOXTEL digital viewers daily (free- SMS update service. to-air digital television viewing is not yet measured). Recent take-up of digital The Division also became one of several television has been strong and this content partners for the Telstra i-mode growth is expected to continue. service, launched in October 2004, providing news and weather updates. As the audience Cross-platform initiatives for i-mode grows, this content offering The ABC’s traditional media platforms will be extended. have been able to engage their audiences further by integrating online, mobile Partnerships and wireless content into programs. The Division’s close working Collaboration with ABC Radio, Television relationships with industry funding and News and Current Affairs has led bodies have consolidated the ABC’s role to a number of cross-media projects. in facilitating the growth of the digital media sector amongst screen agencies 76 Annual Report 2004–05

New Media and Digital Services (Continued)

and independent producers. Many of the number of new programs are in development, projects developed in association with including programs for regional audiences, external funding bodies have won significant children and young adults. local and international awards for their quality and innovation. Technology enables audiences to change from being passive consumers of news, During the year, New Media and Digital information and entertainment into active Services was involved in the Broadband participants who can create their own Production Initiative with the Australian stories and programming from various Film Commission; Micro Series, with the elements. New Media and Digital Services Pacific Film and Television Commission; will continue to create greater value and Game On and Miniseries with the South choice for the Australian public through Australian Film Corporation; Pacific innovation in the communities it serves. Stories with Film Australia; and Dust Echoes, a collection of traditional Indigenous stories animated for ABC Online and ABC2 from a collaboration with Deakin University and the Djilpin Arts Community from Katherine in the Northern Territory.

Projects submitted to the Broadband Production Initiative were co-commissioned via the independent production sector and presented to audiences across ABC Broadband, ABC2, the ABC’s main television channel and triple j. Delivery of the projects commenced in 2005 and include Dust On My Shoes, UsMob, The Life and Times of William Bligh and The Dog and Cat News. The Life, Times and Travels of the Extraordinary Vice-Admiral William Bligh on ABC Broadband is Future proofing an interactive graphic novel drawn from historical After four months on air, the implementation sources, including Bligh's own writings. phase for ABC2 is complete and planning is now underway to provide future direction for the channel and consolidate its brand, within current resources. New Media and Digital Services is committed to exploring cross-media production opportunities for original, creative Australian content that can be provided on broadband or broadcast. A 77 Annual Report 2004–05

Director of News John Cameron and Current Affairs

John Cameron has been Director of News and Current Affairs since July 2004. John has been with the ABC for more than 20 years, most of that time in Queensland as a radio and television reporter and producer, as well as five years as the Queensland State Editor. John was also Washington Bureau Chief for three years, including the period of the first Gulf War, and worked as State Editor in Victoria, before becoming the National Editor for News and Current Affairs in 2000.

After a newspaper cadetship in New Zealand, John worked in newspapers and commercial radio in New Zealand, the UK and Australia for 12 years before joining the ABC. News and Current Affairs

News and Current Affairs produces news In July 2004, John Cameron was appointed bulletins, current affairs programs and a Director of News and Current Affairs. He substantial amount of other material for put in place an altered executive structure all ABC platforms and is one of the biggest to reflect current requirements, including the program production areas of the ABC. creation of a new position, Head of Editorial Co-ordination. The position is responsible The Division provides significant for defining and monitoring presentation programming for the domestic and and production standards across radio, international radio networks, the main television and online. television network, ABC2, ABC Asia Pacific and for New Media and Digital Services, Coverage including most of the content for ABC The ABC’s coverage of the 2004 Boxing Day News Online. The Division’s news wire tsunami disaster dominated News and service, ABCWIRE, provides an important Current Affairs programs over summer. part of programming across the ABC. Much The ABC faced significant editorial and of this programming is also repackaged for logistical challenges in getting the news sale to various external content providers. to air as quickly and as accurately as possible. The Corporation remained ahead The Division’s programs are aimed at of other media organisations because of offering audiences, wherever they are, its unmatched spread of international Australia’s most comprehensive, respected, and domestic staff. Reporters and crews accurate, impartial and independent coverage remained on the ground in the area for of news and current affairs. A cornerstone some time as relief efforts continued. of this—and a key point of difference from other Australian media organisations— Other international stories of significance comes from the wide geographic spread of to Australian audiences included continuing staff in capital city and regional newsrooms coverage of Iraq, including the presence of and in the dozen international bureaux. Australian troops, the Iraq elections and 78 Annual Report 2004–05

News and Current Affairs (Continued)

the kidnapping of Australian Douglas Wood with much of this content used in News and his subsequent release; the death Online and other new media services. of Pope John Paul II and the election of his successor; the bombing outside the Initiatives Australian Embassy in Jakarta; the earth- A new look for the flagship 7pm Television quake on the Indonesian island of Nias, News, as well as new theme music, were including the Australian assistance being introduced across the country on Australia provided there and the deaths in a helicopter Day 2005. The changes involved new sets, crash of nine Australian servicemen and graphics, titles and colour schemes and women helping with that relief effort; the are used in the 7pm News in every state Athens Olympics; and the Beslan school and territory, as well as on The Midday massacre in the Northern Caucusus. Report, in news updates, on the ABC Asia Pacific television service and ABC Online. Significant coverage domestically included Federal, West Australian, Northern Territory The ABC commissioned the changes to and ACT elections; the change in leadership make the News look more contemporary, in the Federal Labor Party; and the to allow for changes to screen formats and continuing debate over Australia’s detention to make text and graphics used on the policies. News and Current Affairs programs screen easier for viewers to read. The ABC were often ahead of the rest of the media is now broadcasting the News and most in the coverage of the detention of Cornelia other programs in widescreen format. Rau and the deportation of Australian citizen Vivian Alvarez Solon, and on a number of The new music for Television News was occasions were the first to break significant written by composer Martin Armiger and stories relating to the two cases. performed by members of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the percussion International Bureaux groups Synergy and TaikOz. The ABC has correspondents in 12 international bureaux in Europe, the Middle After a review of the Sydney News operation, East, the Asia-Pacific region, North America the Division made changes to staff structures and Africa. These reporters file for news to clarify roles and responsibilities and to bulletins and for daily and weekly current produce a better on-air product. News and affairs programs on Radio and Television, Current Affairs management believed there

Ros Childs presents The Midday Report, providing detailed coverage of national and world events, business and finance. Tony Jones, presenter of Lateline, which, for fifteen years, has been breaking and backgrounding headline stories. 79 Annual Report 2004–05

was a need for greater clarity between the Policies, writing, presentation, legal and local and national news operations in copyright issues, safety and teamwork. Sydney and for further improvement in direction and quality control across radio As part of its constant efforts to ensure and television news. the highest quality programming and to provide development for staff, News and Four Corners and New Media and Digital Current Affairs is continuing to develop and Services developed a broadband interactive deliver training courses. The courses cover television project to extend the life of the topics that include writing, presentation, regular Monday night broadcasts. The safety, production, teamwork, leadership broadband editions enhance Four Corners and adherence to ABC Editorial Policies programs by providing material such as and News and Current Affairs style guide. extended interviews for interactive broadband, Many of the courses are available to staff online and interactive digital television. online to allow for the geographical Provision of interactive material of this diversity of staff. kind has cross-genre value in being both informative and educative—enabling The Division held two conferences the News and Current Affairs Division to in Sydney in August 2004: the annual contribute actively to the ABC’s Charter conference of State Editors and a responsibility to provide programs of an conference bringing together radio and educational nature. It is expected that a television news producers. Issues discussed similar approach will be taken with other included production standards, performance News and Current Affairs programs’ management, complaints handling and websites in the future. Editorial Policies.

The exhibition on the history of the ABC’s Three senior managers from the foreign reporting, Through Australian Eyes, Division participated in the senior had successful seasons in Perth, Hobart executive development program run and Melbourne and is being shown at Old by the Australian Graduate School of Parliament House in Canberra until 2006. Management. A group of Executive Producers also completed a frontline A forum about language was held at the management program. Sydney Opera House. It was jointly organised by the ABC’s Standing Committee on News and Current Affairs continued Spoken English (SCOSE) and the Sydney to review and refine its Service Level Writers’ Festival and was broadcast on Agreements with output areas. These Radio National. agreements set out the programming requirements of the networks and the Staff, programs and resources agreed processes in News and Current The ABC reintroduced its cadet journalist Affairs to meet these requirements, program in February 2005. Nine cadets including mechanisms for interrupting based in capital-city newsrooms around scheduled programs for breaking news. the country were brought together in Sydney for two weeks of intensive training Regular formal reviews of all News and in radio and television reporting. The cadets Current Affairs programs continued in were also given training in ABC Editorial 2004–05 as one of a number of measures to ensure programs are meeting expectations. 80 Annual Report 2004–05

News and Current Affairs (Continued)

These formal reviews complement the All radio figures are national totals. informal daily monitoring of output. Radio News A refashioned midday television news Outlet Hours program was launched in February. The Local Radio and Radio National 7 116 Midday Report, presented by Ros Childs, Regionals 3 308 replaced Midday News and Business. triple j 265 The program retains a business news Classic FM and national bulletins for flavour, but also carries the day’s south-eastern regional Australia 577 main news stories. TOTAL 11 266

National Interest Initiatives funding has Radio Current Affairs allowed the Division to continue programs Outlet Hours introduced under the scheme, including AM (Early) Local Radio 40 local weekend television News bulletins AM (Radio National) 80 in the ACT and the Northern Territory, AM (Main) 145 enhanced business coverage across a AM/PM special Election coverage 8 range of programs, and provided funding The World Today 200 for two reporters in the new ABC studios PM (Radio National) 183 in Ballarat. PM (Local Radio) 208 Sat AM (Local Radio and Radio National) 24 Annual Production of Correspondents Report 15 News and Current Affairs Finance Market Report at Noon 8 In 2004–05, the ABC broadcast Finance Market Report PM 16 approximately 14 000 unduplicated hours TOTAL 927 of news and current affairs programming on its domestic television and radio services. Television News and Current Affairs Outlet Hours The figures include election night 7pm News (all states) 1 445 broadcasts. News and Current Affairs News Updates (including weekend covered four elections, the Federal Election midday bulletins) 96 and the elections in the ACT, Western Asia Pacific Focus 17 Australia and the Northern Territory. Australian Story 22 Four Corners 22 These figures do not include material Foreign Correspondent 25 provided to New Media and Digital Services, Inside Business 21 ABC NewsRadio, Radio Australia and the Insiders 32 ABC Asia Pacific service; live crosses to Landline 39 reporters to radio programs; budget specials Lateline 108 and any rolling coverage. The figures also 7:30 Report 105 do not include seasonal variations such as Seven Days 12 sport broadcasts that affect bulletin Stateline 154 schedules. Order in the House, Parliamentary Midday News and Business/ Question Time and National Press Club The Midday Report 110 have also been excluded. Election night coverage 13 TOTAL 2 221 81 Annual Report 2004–05 International Broadcasting Radio Australia

Jean-Gabriel Manguy Head, Radio Australia

Jean-Gabriel Manguy has been Head of Radio Australia since 1997. A broadcaster of 30 years experience, he has been actively involved in training journalists and broadcasters overseas. In 1997, he set a new course for Radio Australia and fostered the development of close relationships with a wide network of partner stations across Asia and the Pacific.

Jean-Gabriel has studied Asian and Pacific History.

Radio Australia • In Cambodia, audiences had more than In 2004–05, the ABC’s international radio doubled in the past three years following service reclaimed its standing as a major the growth of new local satellite relays. international broadcaster in Asia and • Across Asia and the Pacific, Radio the Pacific. Radio Australia significantly Australia was relayed live via satellite increased its audience reach and profile in over 70 locations, a three-fold through an expanding network of local growth since 2000. satellite relays, a range of new program • Radio Australia’s multilingual website initiatives and direct involvement in overseas had become a point of reference for the aid projects fostering the development of coverage of Asian and Pacific affairs, an independent and effective media in with more than 18 million page views Australia’s immediate region. in the previous 12 months.

Building New Connections A significant development in 2004–05 was Across Asia and the Pacific the rapid expansion of Radio Australia’s Radio Australia made major progress in network of 24-hour FM stations, with building audiences through an expanding round-the-clock English language services network of 200 local rebroadcasters in 40 now available in Phnom Penh, Dili, Port countries, shortwave broadcasts, satellite Moresby, Honiara, Port Vila, Nadi and Suva. services and a fast-developing 24-hour FM network. A Trusted Australian Connection By the end of 2004–05: Radio Australia’s informed coverage of • Radio Australia programs reached last year’s momentous events in the Asia listeners via 46 local partner stations Pacific region once again highlighted the in Indonesia. value of the specialist service it provides • In China, 20 major national and provincial to local audiences in need of accurate radio networks rebroadcast Mandarin and credible reportage. language programs to vast audiences. • In Papua New Guinea, audience research Drawing on its network of local contacts indicated one adult in three listened in Indonesia, Radio Australia was the first regularly to Radio Australia, either ABC network to report the Australian directly or via relays in 30 locations. Embassy bombing in Jakarta. An SMS 82 Annual Report 2004–05

appeared regularly in talkback programs on Indonesian radio stations and were able to respond directly to audience enquiries on Australian policies and attitudes. In China, Radio Australia became the first international broadcaster to be involved in live outside broadcasts and regular link-ups with local partner stations.

Radio Australia co-hosted a live broadcast of the Beijing Cultural Parade with Beijing Radio, becoming the first Innovative international radio broadcaster involved in a live outside Educational Connection broadcast in China. Radio Australia has become a valued message tip-off to Radio Australia’s source of ongoing learning and educational Indonesian broadcasters meant Radio programming to growing audiences in Asia Australia was one of the first international and the Pacific. A new series of English for media outlets to report the bombing. Tourism lessons was warmly received in China for rebroadcast on major provincial Radio Australia was also the first ABC stations in Guangzhou, Beijing and Shanghai. network to carry news of the South Asian tsunami disaster, a major story in Indonesia. Strategic links with universities in Australia, One of Radio Australia’s partner radio Fiji, Thailand and Singapore, resulted in the stations was destroyed in Aceh. The story joint production of documentary series and and Australia’s active role in the rescue public debates on key development issues effort were extensively covered in all Radio in the Asia Pacific region. Australia languages. Radio Australia is now directly engaged in the reconstruction Support from the Australia China Council effort in Aceh through the provision of and the Australia India Council enabled technical support. Radio Australia to produce Chinese and Hindi language websites on contemporary In the Pacific, Radio Australia’s authoritative life and issues in Australia, a first for coverage of regional affairs in Papua New Radio Australia. Guinea, Nauru, Solomon Islands and Fiji and of Australian responses to regional People-to-People Connections issues has now become a point of reference In 2004–05, Radio Australia achieved for regional leaders and audiences. The greater proximity and relevance to growing daily Pacific Beat program is setting the audiences at a time of regional uncertainty agenda with its coverage and informed and upheaval in Asia and the Pacific. analysis of governance and regional issues. Radio Australia played an active role in the Asian Language Connections development of a competent and responsible Radio Australia’s ability to communicate local media in both Asia and the Pacific. in the languages of Asia and the Pacific It launched major AusAID-funded media allowed Australian attitudes on key regional development projects that foster public issues to be conveyed effectively and debate and improved governance in Papua reported directly to wider audiences. In New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Cambodia. 2004–05, Radio Australia broadcasters Radio Australia also provided ongoing professional development support to 83 Annual Report 2004–05

partner media organisations in Pacific Solomon Islands, Fiji and Vanuatu set Island countries, East Timor, Vietnam new standards of regional involvement. and Indonesia. Audience interaction, already possible through Internet technology, entered a new Radio Australia reached new levels of era with the introduction of international text direct engagement with audiences across messaging. In Indonesia, Radio Australia’s Asia and the Pacific. Joint live broadcasts broadcasters started attracting hundreds of with local partner stations in China, Papua SMS text messages from their vast audience New Guinea, Indonesia, Cambodia, through local partner radio stations.

International Broadcasting ABC Asia Pacific

Ian Carroll Chief Executive, ABC Asia Pacific

Ian Carroll has been Chief Executive of ABC Asia Pacific since February 2005. Previously, Ian was Head of Network and Programming, ABC Asia Pacific, and prior to ABC Asia Pacific, Head of ABC Digital Television where he established two channels, ABC Kids and Fly.

Ian Carroll is one of Australia’s most successful and experienced television news and current affairs executives both for the ABC and the commercial networks. Among the Australian programs Ian has created or lead as executive producer are Lateline, Nationwide, Channel Nine’s Today, Four Corners, The 7.30 Report, ABC News and the Paul Kelly documentary series One Hundred Years.

Ian holds a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.

ABC Asia now seen in 39 countries, is retransmitted Pacific Television by 155 television pay operators, is available Audiences for the ABC’s international in more than 200 000 hotel rooms and can television arm, ABC Asia Pacific, grew be seen in 9 million homes across the region. rapidly throughout 2004–05. The last quarterly survey showed annual growth of ABC Asia Pacific operates in a highly 53% and an estimated monthly audience competitive market—most countries in the of 765 000 viewers. Access to the channel’s region offer between 40 and 100 channels. website during the year more than doubled The service is designed for an audience to 226 000 accesses per week, from fewer demographic comprising decision makers and than 100 000 in 2003–04. opinion leaders in the private and public sector, including emerging middle class community The service remains one of the fastest segments, student and learning communities, growing channels in the region according and international expatriates and to the PAX Synovate audience survey. It is Government missions based in the region. 84 Annual Report 2004–05

International Broadcasting (Continued)

Distribution the international broadcasting community In 2004–05, ABC Asia Pacific gained access and has played an important role in the to a number of new countries and outlets: rapid take-up of the service. • Vietnam: the channel is now carried by all three Vietnamese cable and satellite The nightly prime time programming companies. line-up is built on four main strands: • Thailand: Thai Cable Association • ABC news and current affairs members and the RNT network produced for the Asia Pacific region; broadcast the channel to more than • a quality Australian or international 100 smaller cable operators spread drama series; across the country. • a world class documentary; and • Hong Kong: the channel’s reach in • an informative and entertaining Hong Kong was significantly extended feature or lifestyle program. by NOW Broadband offering it as a free channel to all of their 400 000 customers. During 2004–05, the channel’s programming comprised 75% Australian content, with an The channel also successfully completed emphasis on news, drama and information negotiations with Malaysian pay television programs, such as Getaway, RPA, Catalyst provider Astro for carriage of ABC Asia and Australian Story. Pacific from the third quarter of 2005. Astro will also distribute the channel extensively ABC Asia Pacific also transmits education throughout Indonesia. programs of real benefit to audiences across the region. Feedback through the Online ABC Asia Pacific web site suggests that The companion website to ABC Asia Pacific such programming, in particular English television, abcasiapacific.com, provides a learning content, is very popular. comprehensive program listing and television schedule, and an up-to-the-minute regional In 2004–05, the channel broadened news service produced specifically for an its Australian sports coverage, with live international online audience. During the broadcasts of International Rugby Union; year weekly accesses to the service doubled V8 Super Cars, including Shanghai and to over 200 000 accesses per week. The Bathurst; racing events the Melbourne Cup popularity of ABC Asia Pacific education and Spring Carnival; and the Australian programs Nexus and English Bites were Rules and Rugby League. a major factor in this growth. Among the most successful programs Programming broadcast in 2004–05 were the 36 ABC ABC Asia Pacific offers a diverse range of Asia Pacific half-hour news programs quality programming rather than a single each week; Australian dramas such as program genre such as movies, sport or All Saints, MDA and Love My Way; and 24-hour news broadcasts. This programming Australian information programs such as strategy makes the service unique amongst RPA, Getaway, Catalyst, The New Inventors and Enough Rope with Andrew Denton. 85 Annual Report 2004–05

John Doherty 7 April 1947–29 December 2004

The ABC, especially the ABC Asia Pacific team, were shocked and deeply saddened to lose John Doherty on 29 December 2004 after a short illness at the age of 57.

John played a significant role in the initial development of the application for the ABC to commence the ABC Asia Pacific service and then subsequently he was responsible for creating it—transmission, distribution and programming—all achieved in a short five months.

The service is his legacy, passing through 9 million homes and a regular audience approaching 800 000. It was possible to tell John, not long before he died, that after much hard work the channel was being distributed in Vietnam, a special passion and ambition of his.

ABC Managing Director Russell Balding said at John’s Memorial Service ‘It is very clear that for so many people John Doherty, the man, will be impossible to forget ... his involvement required superior diplomatic skills which saw the establishment of many strategic relationships with overseas television operators, distributors, overseas politicians and government officials—as well as our own Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It is here that John’s honesty, sincerity and his true Australian characteristics stood out.’

The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Hon. Alexander Downer, MP, announced the institution of the annual ‘John Doherty Asia Pacific Journalism Internship’ which brings two journalists from the region for two weeks’ intensive internship at ABC Asia Pacific, building relationships and skills in our region’s media. In making the announcement Mr Downer said ‘The news of John’s death has saddened me greatly. Through his role at ABC Asia Pacific all of us who have dealt with him have greatly valued John’s professionalism and experience as an administrator, and his warmth, good humour and energy as a person. John’s tireless work in advocating ABC Asia Pacific to promote Australia and our values and characteristics throughout the region will be remembered.’

The spirit of John Doherty continues to live proudly in the heart of ABC Asia Pacific and the ABC. 86 Annual Report 2004–05

Robyn Watts Director of Enterprises

Robyn Watts has been Director of ABC Enterprises since the establishment of the commercial operations division in July 2003. Robyn commenced at the ABC in July 2000 as Director of Content Rights Management. Prior to joining the ABC, Robyn was CEO of Southern Star Sales and Director Marketing and Distribution at Film Australia. She has been a board member of Screenrights, the Australian Film, Television and Radio School and the Screen Producers’ Association of Australia.

Robyn holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University (ANU), a Master of Arts from Reading University, UK and a Graduate Diploma in Business Management from the ANU. ABC Enterprises

ABC Enterprises contributes to the role The above-budget financial performance of the ABC by selling and distributing ABC can be largely attributed to the results programming and content, hiring out spare achieved by ABC Video. These reflect ABC resources capacity, and developing outstanding sales of Kath and Kim and and retailing quality consumer products Wiggles DVDs, which were supported by associated with ABC programming or a strong BBC catalogue, including titles relevant to Charter roles and values. In such as Little Britain and Seven Wonders this way, the Division extends the life of of the Industrial World and the BBC ABC programming, assists in fostering and Classic Comedies. developing Australian talent and creativity, and makes a financial return to the The ABC Book According to Skull, by ABC Corporation for investment in programs. Radio cricket commentator and former Test cricketer Kerry O’Keeffe, was the best The Division is currently structured selling title for the financial year. Other into three businesses: ABC Consumer best selling adult titles for ABC Books Publishing and Content Sales, ABC were 1001 Movies You Must See Before Retail and ABC Resource Hire. You Die, The Matthew Hayden Cookbook, Enough Rope 2, Flora Native Plants and ABC Consumer Publishing Dag’s Dictionary by ABC 702 Sydney’s and Content Sales Richard Glover. The best selling ABC Children’s Book was the 2004 edition ABC Consumer Publishing of Sing. Other leading children’s titles In 2004–05, ABC Consumer Publishing were Girlforce, Saddle Club Birthday released over 900 consumer products Book and My Dad. relating to ABC programming and Charter activities. The business made a net profit of $10.6 million in 2004–05, compared with $9.9 million in 2003–04. 87 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Enterprises Revenue by Activity 2004–05

ABC Enterprises Revenue Music Publishing 90–91

Res

91–92 ource Hi Content Sales 92–93 Gift Cla

re 93–94 ssics Licensing Magazines 94–95 Events 95–96 96–97 87–98 Retail

98–99 Video 99–00a 00–01 ic 01–02 02–03 orary Mus b 03–04 Contemp io

ks

Aud

04–05 Boo

0 0 200 4000 6000 8000 10000 12000 14000 16000 18000 $ ’000 a. includes cash from Program Sales, BDU, Non-Theatrics and Stock Footage b. includes cash from new Enterprises departments—Content Sales and Resource Hire

ABC Audio continued to increase the level ABC Classics won the ARIA Award for Best of product in MP3 format in the ABC Audio Classical Album for The Voice by Teddy catalogue. Each MP3 audio CD can hold up Tahu Rhodes. A major release for ABC to ten hours worth of bookreading. More Classics was The Classic 100 Piano, an than 40 titles, including The Complete eight-CD boxed set containing Australia’s Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Dirt Music, favourite piano masterpieces, which sold Kokoda, and the 2005 Miles Franklin Award more than 20 000 units. winner, The White Earth, are available in MP3 format. ABC Events entertained more than 200 000 Australians through the staging ABC Music’s first music DVD, Midnight of approximately 300 events and exhibitions Oil—Best of Both Worlds, won the Best throughout the year. Major exhibitions for Music DVD category at the 2004 Australian the year included the inaugural ABC Kids Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Live! at Sydney Showground and the first Awards. The first ABC Music DVD in the Gardening Australia Live Victoria held triple j Archive Collection, entitled 1975, in Melbourne. was released to coincide with the 30th anniversary of the ABC Radio network. 88 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Enterprises (Continued)

ABC Licensing introduced a variety of In 2004–05, ABC Content Sales attended innovative new products associated with program markets MIPTV, MIPCOM, NATPE ABC brands such as Bananas in Pyjamas, and WAEA and launched over 300 hours Play School, triple j and Gardening Australia, of new programming. Surfing the Menu and also launched new products for Australia Series 2, Kath and Kim, Einstein’s Wife, All Over and Grandstand. ABC Licensing and content from FOXTEL and Opera was appointed as Australian agent for Australia attracted global buyers. The major international brands including Fifi ABC entered into a new agreement with and the Flowertots and Little Britain. National Geographic to supply news stories weekly. ABC Magazines delicious and Gardening Australia recorded increases in readership ABC Content Sales continued to explore the of 11.7% and 3.3% respectively for the market for wireless and Internet content. A 12 months to March 2005, despite overall number of sites were launched in 2004–05, readership for the food magazine category including a triple j site on Optus Mobile Zoo dropping by 4.9% and the gardening Arcade, an At the Movies site on Optus magazine category dropping by 13.2%. Mobile, and a rage music video streaming The ABC’s Saddle Club magazine recorded service on H3GA mobile. SMS/1900 voting 131 000 readers in the Roy Morgan Young services were launched for competitions Australian Readership Survey for 2004. across ABC platforms. ABC Content Sales provided a WAP Olympics package to ABC Music Publishing won the ‘Music Optus Mobile. Publishing Company of the Year’ category for the third year in a row at the Country In an increasingly competitive market, Music Association of Australia (CMAA) struggling with costly new delivery Achiever Awards. technologies, ABC Content Sales was unable to increase revenue from sales of ABC Content Sales footage. The reduction in new and saleable ABC Content Sales distributes content ABC footage continued to be an issue, but produced by the ABC’s Television, Radio was in part offset by packaging high-demand and Online platforms and independent material such as popular music from the producers. Global clients include Countdown and GTK collections. ABC broadcasters, producers, airlines, video/DVD Content Sales agreed to a representation distributors, educators, museums, Internet deal with the world’s largest music footage and wireless service providers. library, Reelin’ In The Years Productions, for its archival footage of music and Sales revenue from ABC-owned and music performers. independently-acquired content increased with a net profit of $2.7 million in 2004–05, The Radio, Television and Online Non- compared to $2.2 million in 2003–04. Theatric Sales business unit was merged This was largely due to an increase in into ABC Content Sales from 1 July 2004, gross and net income of the Program Sales selling titles including Being Me, Like It Is, Worldwide unit, encouraged by a strong Australian Story and Anzac Day Marches. third-party acquisition policy to offset a decrease in available ABC-produced content. 89 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Retail The net profit for the Retail business for 2004–05 was $4.2 million, a 7% increase The four-day Gardening Australia on the previous year. Live festival, featuring Peter Cundall and his team of specialists, is now an annual event in Sydney and Melbourne. ABC Retail opened new ABC Shops at Karrinyup in Western Australia in September and Mount Gravatt in Queensland in November 2004. In January 2005, the ABC Shop at Loganholme in Queensland closed in favour of a more financially-viable location. During the year, four new ABC Centres opened and nine existing Centres closed. By the end of 2004–05, ABC Retail had 120 outlets in operation, comprising 40 ABC Shops, 79 ABC Centres and an Order Centre which provides home delivery of products ordered by telephone, fax, mail and through ABC Shop Online.

Sales through ABC Shop Online increased by 27% on the previous financial year. The ABC Reward Program continued to be an important promotional tool. Approximately 115 000 members, including the 50 000 new members who joined during the year, used their Reward Card in 2004–05.

The national catalogue promotions for Father’s Day and Christmas were successful and exceeded the previous year’s sales results. During the year, 226 local promotions were undertaken in ABC Shops and Centres. The most successful of these were the ABC Kids Live! exhibition in Sydney and Gardening Australia Live Victoria, as well as signings by Michael Palin and Kerry O’Keefe, and ABC Local Radio Outside Broadcasts with Matthew Hayden in ABC Shops in Queensland leading up to Christmas.

Sales of DVDs in ABC Shops increased from 26% of all products sold in 2002–03 to 44% during 2004–05 while video sales 90 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Enterprises (Continued)

dropped significantly, comprising only 7% TV and repeat series of both Active Kidz of products sold. The most popular genres and Mars Venus, as well as films, including of products sold were comedy, children’s Ghost Rider, and television commercial and drama. The best-selling products in shoots for various clients. Outside broadcast the ABC Shops were the Little Britain DVD, facilities and crew covered entertainment the Classic 100 Piano eight-CD boxed set, events in Melbourne including X Factor and Dave Allen DVD, Vicar of Dibley DVD and HMS Pinafore, along with national sports the triple j Hottest 100 Volume 12 CD. coverage ranging from AFL in Western Australia, the Northern Territory and ABC Resource Hire Tasmania, to rugby union and Bledisloe Cup ABC Resource Hire uses spare capacity in coverage in Sydney, NRL in Perth, tennis ABC facilities and crews for productions for in Perth and Adelaide, and horse racing clients Australia-wide. Revenue generated in Darwin and Alice Springs. from its activities is invested back into ABC program production. It provides ABC staff ABC Resource Hire provided minicam with exposure to a wide range of production facilities and crew for the V8 Motor Racing genres and disciplines. Services offered are series around Australasia. ABC Minicam digital outside broadcast, live minicam sports also travelled regularly to Asia for sporting coverage, production services, and costume events and covered a Royal Wedding in hire and manufacture. Also available Brunei. ABC Venue Hire clients included for hire are studios, rehearsal rooms major cultural organisations for and theatres. performances and recordings in Sydney and Melbourne, along with rehearsals of ABC Resource Hire generated a net profit Dirty Dancing—The Musical. ABC Costumes of $1.27 million in 2004–05, compared increased its public hire customer base with $1.56 million in the previous financial and expanded its manufacture activities, year. It also used $1.93 million worth of particularly of corporate mascots. In the ABC’s fixed production labour force association with ABC Asia Pacific television, compared to $2.8 million the previous ABC Resource Hire provided facilities and financial year. Both results reflect a crew for production of education programs competitive commercial marketplace and in Adelaide. lower access to ABC facilities and crew due to the ABC Television production schedule. Nonetheless, the unit successfully won contracts to provide services to all Australian television networks and to work with many of the country’s leading producers and production companies.

In 2004–05, ABC Resource Hire provided studios, facilities and crew for television programs such as The Silence and Pilates 91 Annual Report 2004–05

David Pendleton Chief Operating Officer

David Pendleton joined the ABC as the General Manager of Group Audit in 1996. He went on to become General Manager of Financial Operations and Accounting, and later Head of Finance. In February 2002, he was appointed to the position of Director of Finance and Support Services, which was re-named Director of Business Services on 1 July 2003. On 31 August 2004, David was appointed as the Corporation’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to joining the ABC, David held senior management positions in the public sector at the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority and State Super Investment and Management Corporation.

David holds a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) and a Graduate Diploma from the Securities Institute of Australia. Operations

In August 2004, the ABC established the A number of major technical projects new Executive position of Chief Operating were completed during the year in relation Officer with oversight of the Technology to the launch of ABC2, the enhancement of and Distribution, Production Resources, audience reach, improved flexibility of live Business Services and Human Resources news-gathering and improved security Divisions. for the ABC’s computer networks.

During 2004–05, the ABC Operations group The launch of ABC2 involved the adaptation of Divisions provided skilled production, and application of new technology to enable legal, financial, technical and operational more efficient and cost-effective storage and personnel, as well as facilities and services playout of content. The Sydney Broadband to support the needs of the ABC’s output studios were upgraded to enable the Divisions. The group also collaborated on production of content for ABC2 and new a number of key projects during the year, material for the ABC Broadband service. including the upgrade of regional and capital city facilities, business continuity The ABC digitised electronic news-gathering planning, Occupational Health and Safety equipment to comply with new channel (OH&S) initiatives, and the development requirements imposed by the Australian of an Integrated Capital Strategy. Communications Authority. The upgrade provided improved audio and video quality Technology and more flexibility to cover live news. All and Distribution states and territories now have the new The Technology and Distribution Division equipment and, in Sydney and Melbourne, develops and supports the ABC’s technology two newslink vehicles were provided and infrastructure and transmission services equipped with combined Digital Electronic in accordance with industry best practice News Gathering (DENG) and Satellite News and national and international regulatory Gathering (SNG) capability. The satellite requirements. 92 Annual Report 2004–05

Operations (Continued)

capability enables field crews to return training, 4 500 hours of IT software live news feeds without the limitation and systems training, and nearly 2 000 of line-of-sight, effectively providing hours of both project management and Australia-wide access. Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) training. As part of the Corporation’s To enable the cost-effective retransmission commitment to inspiring and promoting of its services on the new FOXTEL Digital the education, training and advancement and AUSTAR Digital Satellite subscription of engineering among young women in the television platforms, the ABC acquired broadcasting industry, the ABC awarded new equipment that makes efficient use four Women in Engineering (WIE) of satellite bandwidth on the basis of Scholarships during the year—two real-time picture content. in New South Wales and one each in the ACT and Western Australia. A number of enhancements to information technology (IT) infrastructure Emergency Planning, Business were completed to improve the availability Continuity Management and and performance of the ABC Online service Disaster Recovery and IT infrastructure in general. The focus The ABC continued to develop detailed has been on resilience, performance and response and recovery plans for business reliability of the current infrastructure, interruption incidents at all levels of its and on enhancing and maintaining the operations. Of significant note was a Corporation’s network security. consolidated review of the Corporation’s Crisis Management Plans, as well Regional Studio Upgrades as planned investment to strengthen The first of a series of studio upgrades redundancy within critical technical in regional ABC stations were completed infrastructure. during the year. These upgrades included the installation of new digital radio consoles The ABC commenced a detailed and that can be maintained and monitored comprehensive commitment to the Critical remotely, resulting in efficient fault-finding Infrastructure Protection Modelling and and correction. The Renmark studio went Analysis (CIPMA) program led by the on air on 11 May 2005, while work on the Federal Attorney-General’s Department. Mount Isa station was completed in June 2005. Five other sites will be upgraded Production Resources during 2005–06. Production Resources operates broadcast and production centres in each state and Technical Training territory. It manages the broadcasting and During the year Technology and Distribution distribution of ABC Radio and Television provided its staff with more than 11 000 signals and provides a workforce with a hours of training to enable them to remain wide range of production skills to support at the forefront of their fields. This included the needs of ABC Television, ABC2 and almost 3 000 hours of broadcast technical News and Current Affairs. 93 Annual Report 2004–05

During 2004–05, Production Resources High Definition provided 1.3 million hours of labour for Television Playout television production and ABC Television and The ABC completed high definition Radio distribution. The Division provided television (HDTV) playout facility upgrades labour and facilities for the production of in October 2004 and called for tenders for all News and Current Affairs programming, HDTV production facilities in May 2005. as well as regular television programs, Production Resources designed and including Playschool, Strictly Dancing, built the new graphics and sets required Catalyst, Media Watch and Enough Rope nationally to allow daily news and current with Andrew Denton. affairs programs to be shot in 16:9 widescreen format. In addition, Production Resources staff worked on a significant number of new Production Resources Review projects and special events. In Sydney and In August 2004, the results of a Melbourne, the Division provided staff and comprehensive review of the Production facilities for numerous programs, including Resources Division, conducted by an external shorter-term projects such Blue Water High, consultant, were presented to the Board. MDA, Kath and Kim and Outback House. The review had been commissioned to develop recommendations to maximise Nationally, the Division provided additional the ABC’s funded production capacity. production support for News and Current Affairs coverage of the Federal Election, As a result of the review, an implementation Federal Budget and state and territory working group has been established to elections in the ACT, Northern Territory and assess the report recommendations and Western Australia. The five new 6.30pm undertake implementation as required. programs produced in Brisbane, Perth, Resulting projects will be undertaken Hobart and Adelaide also increased the progressively during 2005–06. production effort of the Division. Business Services Production Resources continued to Business Services supports the ABC’s improve its processes in relation to OH&S operations by providing financial advice, and Risk Management. External reports analysis and support, accounting services, were commissioned for each state to assess legal services, property management, work practices on outside broadcasts, an fleet management, archives and library area considered the Division’s highest risk. services and rights management. Work continued on documentation of all risks with Safe Work Method Statements Integrated Capital Strategy and Operating Guidelines being developed. Business Services continued to work Helicopter, Fire and Emergency training closely with the other Divisions toward the was provided for news crews and other formulation of a ten-year capital funding relevant production staff as part of an strategy to address increasing pressure annual training initiative. on its capital budgets. 94 Annual Report 2004–05

Operations (Continued)

To aid this process, in 2004–05 a comprehensive review of the asset base of the Corporation and the expected life cycle of each asset was commenced. The project team developed technology profiles of all operating areas to provide a complete view of the ABC’s infrastructure environment and undertook a scenario- based planning workshop to consider the 10-year business outlook and provide some key planning assumptions. In late 2005, the ABC Board will consider the recommendations of the Integrated Capital Strategy project, which will encompass property, broadcast technology and business systems.

Finance System New SAP Finance System hardware and application support arrangements were implemented in March 2005, delivering continuing savings to the Corporation. Financial reporting was also enhanced with the integration of Foreign Currency and Overseas payment processes into the Finance System and implementation of an interface to Enterprises’ new Sales Management System.

Risk Management In 2004–05, focus was maintained on developing initiatives to reduce risks to the Corporation related to Business Continuity Planning and OH&S concerns.

In relation to the latter, the ABC launched a new OH&S and risk management initiative called ABC WorkSafe on 28 April 2005. This system replaces paper-based processes with online incident reporting, facilitating analysis of incidents, claims, risks and compliance across the whole ABC. It retains Master Control Room in the new ABC East Perth Centre, which became operational in a full audit trail of incidents, corrective June 2005, broadcasting the first evening actions and controls. The system thus news bulletin on 11 June. 95 Annual Report 2004–05

provides a knowledge base that acts as a Gore Hill Sale critical tool for proactive and pre-emptive On 14 February 2005, the ABC completed risk identification and mitigation. the sale of a 4.5 hectare portion of the Gore Hill site to Gore Hill Technology Park Archives Project Pty Ltd. This sale marked the end of a In June 2005, the ABC began the digitisation fifty-year association with the site by ABC of its Radio and Television archives with television transmission. The ABC has retained the conversion of analog audio content. the remaining adjacent 1.4 hectare parcel Around 60 000 hours of content will be to house large-scale television production converted over the next three years. functions. These include the outside broadcast van fleet, helipad, long-term This project, which began in 2003–04, film and tape archives, two sound stages will preserve the ABC’s uniquely valuable and associated support facilities, such as historic archive and is a key component of the set-making workshop and props and the Corporation’s digitisation strategy. As wardrobe stores that were completed in part of the project, network systems for 2003–04. storing and managing the digitised content have been installed in all capital cities and As a condition of the sale and proposed a conversion centre has been established redevelopment, the history of the original in Ultimo, Sydney. The networked systems site will be preserved through a series will provide online access to both existing of interpretative markers to be located and future archival material, giving program throughout the site. Net proceeds from makers ready access to background the sale have been applied to the ABC’s information. digital conversion program.

Facilities Perth Facility Construction of a new broadcasting and production centre in East Perth for ABC Radio, Television and Online was completed in 2004–05. ABC Local Radio and Master Control moved to the new building in March 2005, with other departments following in a staged transition. On 22 June 2005, control of Western Australian Television Presentation was transferred to Australia’s first Content Distribution Centre (CDC) at East Perth, which integrates television presentation and radio master control functions in a single facility.

Work is continuing on the installation and commissioning of audio production facilities in the new building. All Radio and Television audio postproduction facilities are expected to be completed and operational in late 2005. 96 Annual Report 2004–05

Operations (Continued)

Human Resources program will be substantially completed Human Resources provides a range of for all employees, including ABC Divisional services to managers and staff to enable Directors, managers and staff, in 2005–06. the ABC to best manage and develop its people. These include employment During the year, Human Resources services, workplace relations, learning conducted a review of the ABC’s Workplace and development, recruitment services, Values and Code of Conduct. The new organisational design and policy draft policy, which was developed in development. consultation with employees and ABC divisional representatives, replaces Performance Management the current prescriptive policy with The ABC continued to focus on improving a principle-based approach. The new its Performance Management system. Workplace Values and Code of Conduct A customised module was added to the will be finalised in 2005–06. payroll system to enable more effective administration and monitoring of Indigenous performance management. New Employment Initiatives performance management training The Corporation continued to implement programs were commenced to reinforce initiatives to achieve its objective of 2% understanding of the system and develop Indigenous staff representation. Currently, skills in its application. Indigenous staff represent 1.3% of total staff strength. Two Indigenous Staff Scholarship A Performance Management research Awards were presented during NAIDOC survey undertaken in the year highlighted Week 2004: the Indigenous Excellence the importance of communication between Award and Indigenous Encouragement managers and staff and a clear focus on Scholarship. The awards are aimed at the quality of work relationships. Building developing and supporting Indigenous on these findings, the ABC began developing staff excellence and career development. programs focusing on the ‘interpersonal’ NAIDOC Week also featured a range aspects of performance management, in of special events, ceremonies and particular improving managers’ people performances around Australia aimed management skills and promoting greater at increasing the awareness of ABC staff engagement and participation in staff of local Indigenous communities. the process. The annual Indigenous Staff Conference Policies was held in October in Perth, Western During 2004–05, Human Resources Australia. Thirty-six participants developed introduced ‘Creating a Better Place to a new mechanism for evaluating the ABC’s Work’, a mandatory structured program performance in relation to Indigenous issues. to raise awareness of diversity, bullying, harassment, discrimination and conflict resolution, and to foster a safer and more productive workplace environment. The 97 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Staff by Job Group 2004–05

Admin/Professional

Program Maker

Senior Executive

ABC Staff numbers Technologist (Full-Time Equivalent)

1994–95 5 437 Retail Staff 1995–96 5 343 0 500 1996–97 4 887 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 1997–98 4 177 ABC Staff by Region 2004–05

1998–99 4 134 ACT ACT

WA

1999–00 4 293 6.7% 3.8% 2000–01 4 116

2001–02 4 260 Victoria

2002–03 4 321 17.6% 2003–04 4 244 4 298 2004–05 NSW 46.0% 4.6% 0 Tasmania 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000

8.4% SA 9.2%

nsland

ee

3.1% ABC Staff by Division 2004–05 Qu

NT

Tel Overseas 0.7%

evision

5.6% Strategy and Technology and 8.1% 8.5% 1.7% Distribution Communications

Enterprises 2.4% International 9.3% ces Broadcasting 2.2%

Business Services New Media and Human Resour Digital Services 2.9%

20.7% News and Curr Radio Aff 21.0% airs 17.6%ent

Production Resources 98 Annual Report 2004–05

Operations (Continued) Learning and Development Supporting Public Following a successful pilot in 2003, the Broadcasters in ABC Leadership Development Program the Region was conducted in 2004–05 for 20 senior While the focus of the Operations group managers. The program focuses on of Divisions centred on supporting the individual development as well as a group Corporation’s output, the group was also learning experience and is reinforced by able to respond to the need for expertise executive coaches who assist participants of other public broadcasters in the region. in delivering results in their workplace. In addition to a number of smaller The ABC aligns its training to national assignments in Tonga and Vietnam, the ABC standards through the ABC Registered began two major AusAID-funded projects Training Organisation (RTO). This year the during the year—The Papua New Guinea ABC RTO issued 67 full qualifications and Media Development Initiative, and The 54 Statements of Attainment—a total Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation of 886 units of competence. Overall, ABC (SIBC) Capacity-Building Initiative. staff have received over 68 750 hours of structured training. This approach The Papua New Guinea Media Development contributes to the ABC’s commitment Initiative was designed in conjunction with to continually develop the technical Radio Australia, and provides for ABC skills of its workforce. expertise to assist the National Broadcasting Corporation of PNG (NBC) with the production Occupational of new programs, the digitisation of NBC’s Health and Safety archive, and the development of managerial Human Resources focused on a number capacity within NBC. The Solomon Islands of initiatives aimed at continuous improvement Broadcasting Corporation (SIBC) Capacity- in the Corporation’s management of OH&S. Building Initiative has been devised in association with the Regional Assistance This included the establishment of an Mission to the Solomon Islands (RAMSI). interdivisional National OH&S Management This project enables two ABC staff members Group to ensure a consistent national to work with SIBC management and staff approach to achieving excellence with for a period of 12 months, providing advice the OH&S Management Systems in the and training on production work and ABC. In addition ABC WorkSafe online management, as well as managing a was implemented and launched to number of infrastructure projects designed capture better information regarding the to boost transmission, improve production investigations and management of OH&S facilities and introduce new information incidents with the overall aim of reducing technology systems. incidents in the workplace. The ABC provided assistance to the Further information on the Corporation’s government-owned Voice of the Maldives management of OH&S can be found in to recover from the Boxing Day Tsunami Appendix 12 (page 183). in 2004, as the antenna field of the single 99 Annual Report 2004–05

AM transmitting station was flooded by the New Analog Services Tsunami. The Corporation also advised the A new FM NewsRadio service in the ACT Voice of the Maldives on planning for a new was launched following the conversion of transmitter installation and improvements NewsRadio from AM to FM transmission. in the radio coverage for the more distant This was achieved through the installation islands in the Maldives group. of new transmitters at Black Mountain Tower and Tuggeranong Hill. The conversion Transmission from an AM service has provided greater Digital Services overall coverage to the ACT and surrounding The installation of digital production areas and improved the quality of reception. equipment and the extension of the ABC’s The ABC has also improved the radio digital television transmission services transmission quality in Adelaide, Brisbane, continued in 2004–05, as did implementation Canberra, Illawarra, Melbourne, Newcastle, of technical solutions to increase the reach Perth, Sunshine Coast and Sydney, of ABC Television and Radio. through the installation of new audio processing facilities. During 2004–05, the ABC commenced digital television transmission in 40 locations, Transmission Fault Restoration continuing to provide the largest terrestrial During 2004–05, the service availability of coverage of all Australian broadcasters. most services improved, as shown in the The ABC’s digital transmission now reaches table ‘ABC Distribution and Transmission 95.82% of Australia’s population (compared Network Aggregated 2004–05 with 94.28% in 2003–04) from 137 Performance’ (page 100). transmitter locations. The ABC aims to eventually transmit its digital signal Over the past year, a number of major from a minimum of 440 locations. disruptions have been triggered by increased power outages and equipment The new services were established at: failures at transmission sites. The ABC New South Wales: Bowral, Cooma, continues to liaise with Broadcast Australia Dungog, Goulburn, Murwillumbah (BA), which is responsible for the delivery and Narooma of transmission services. ABC and BA have Northern Territory: Alice Springs jointly approached electricity suppliers in and Katherine all states and territories and BA is reviewing Queensland: Capella, Blackwater, its emergency power plants with the objective Boyne Island, Cairns North, Charters of reducing these impacts on the audience. Towers, Emerald, Gladstone East, Gladstone West and Mount Isa. The average time for restoration of service Victoria: Apollo Bay, Bairnsdale, Bruthen, after a transmission fault was 21.55 minutes Casterton, Churchill, Cobden, Colac, (15.89 minutes in 2003–04) for Class A Coleraine, Foster, Lakes Entrance, Lorne, transmitters. For major regional centres Nowa Nowa, Orbost, Portland and (Class B transmitters), average restoration Warrnambool. time was 38.52 minutes (compared with Western Australia: Broome, Carnarvon, 42.01 minutes in 2003–04). Esperance, Karratha, Narrogin, Port Hedland, Roebourne and Wagin. 100 Annual Report 2004–05

ABC Distribution and Transmission Network Aggregated 2004–05 Performance as Reported by Broadcast Australia

ABC Distribution Broadcast Australia Total Network Total ‘On-Air’ No. of Network Transmission Network Availability Availability ABC Service Transmitters (See Note 1) (See Note 2) (See Note 3) (See Note 4) 2004–05 2003–04 Target 2004–05 2003–04 2004–05 2003–04 2004–05 2003–04 %%%%%%%%% ABC Classic FM 67 99.90 99.98 99.83 99.92 99.91 99.46 99.33 99.91 99.84 triple j 57 99.98 99.97 99.82 99.91 99.90 99.56 99.48 99.91 99.83 Local Radio 241 99.71 99.79 99.79 99.87 99.84 99.40 99.04 99.82 99.63 ABC NewsRadio 12 99.84 98.98 99.89 99.94 99.95 99.23 98.06 99.88 99.90 Radio National 257 99.97 99.96 99.74 99.85 99.82 99.64 99.45 99.82 99.72 Analog Television 440 99.91 99.97 99.75 99.83 99.82 99.25 99.04 99.80 99.77 Digital Television 137 99.91 99.68 99.80 99.84 99.90 99.31 98.27 99.72 99.15 State NSW 252 99.84 99.91 99.80 99.85 99.86 99.37 99.13 99.82 99.71 NT 54 99.94 99.94 99.71 99.71 99.72 99.36 99.47 99.65 99.66 QLD 310 99.98 99.84 99.76 99.86 99.81 99.65 99.02 99.84 99.65 SA 76 99.89 99.96 99.79 99.90 99.88 99.23 99.52 99.88 99.83 TAS 83 99.95 99.99 99.81 99.83 99.74 99.22 99.53 99.79 99.68 VIC 120 99.92 99.97 99.82 99.85 99.89 99.21 99.38 99.82 99.83 WA 179 99.91 99.96 99.75 99.82 99.86 99.57 98.93 99.78 99.82

Notes 1. ABC Distribution Network (included contracted service providers): The ABC distribution network ensures that programs are delivered from the studio to local transmitters throughout Australia. The network includes outsourced satellite and terrestrial broadcast distribution services from telecommunications carriers such as Optus and Telstra. This measure has been designed to be consistent with the contracted transmission targets and represents the aggregated performance of more than 60 agreements the ABC has in place to distribute programs. The ABC’s performance in this area declined relative to the previous year as a result of several factors, including satellite failures on the Optus platform, reduced performance of the Telstra copper network in regional areas, replacement of ABC infrastructure in the on-air live environment and constancy of power supply availability from utility providers.

Note: Local Radio, which serves remote and regional Australia, is reliant on non-redundant Telstra broadcast lines; these performed below expectation due to an increased number of lines failures to remote sites in 2004–05.

2. Broadcast Australia Transmission Network (ABC Transmission Contractor): The reported transmission network performance, provided by Broadcast Australia, improved relative to the previous year. New digital services and improved monitoring equipment at transmission sites continued to be introduced throughout the year. The performance of new digital television services was above target, but below expectations, declining relative to the previous year.

3. Total Network Availability shows the impact of all outages of the overall network. It reflects the total delivered network availability, regardless of the source of faults or interruptions. In practice, during the majority of reported outages, a reduced level of service continued to be provided. This accounts for the difference between contracted and overall network performance.

In 2004–05, delivery of services to the ABC analog network audiences was consistent, with a marginal improvement overall compared to 2003–04. The exceptions were: the Northern Territory, where transmission equipment issues, power supply failures and the ageing Outback Radio transmitters affected performance (new transmitters for these services have been ordered); Tasmania, where structural repairs to the Launceston Mt Barrow Service, the parent service to 18 translators, required substantial periods of reduced power operation; and Victoria, where remediation works to repair transmission facility equipment and power supply failures reduced overall performance. Digital Television services performance improved this year but remains below expectation.

Broadcast Australia, with the ABC’s permission, operated a number of services below minimum performance levels for sustained periods throughout the year. This is only partially reflected in the data.

4. Total ‘On-Air’ Availability shows the direct impact of all outages experienced by the audience, where some level of service continued to be provided throughout faults and maintenance. That is, where there was no total loss or denial of service to the majority of the audience. This measure shows that, with the exception of WA, Broadcast Australia reported an overall decrease in the total period services were ‘off’ in 2004–05, compared with the previous year. Digital television performance improved in 2004–05 compared with the previous year, but was below expectation. 101 Annual Report 2004–05

Director of Strategy Geoff Crawford CVO and Communications

Geoff Crawford joined the ABC as Director of Corporate Affairs in May 2002. Prior to that, he worked for twelve years at Buckingham Palace, the last four years as the Queen’s Press Secretary. He joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra in 1974, working in a number of areas within the Department, as well as undertaking overseas postings to the Middle East and Pacific regions.

Geoff holds a Bachelor of Arts with Honours. Strategy and Communications

The Strategy and Communications Division outside broadcasts, live shows and provides a range of Corporation-wide support interactive presentations and exhibitions. functions in relation to corporate policy, The Corporation’s travelling Exhibition strategy and governance, and the ABC’s Trailer visited a record 23 events and was position and influence in the internal and open to the public on more than 90 days. external environment. The Trailer’s schedule included a regional tour of Tasmania, as well as the Eyre Previously known as ABC Corporate Affairs, Peninsula in South Australia following the Division was renamed to better reflect the January bush fires. its sharper focus on strategic development as part of the August 2004 restructure. It The unit organised the first public opening absorbed the Audience Research unit from of the Ultimo Centre, Sydney, as part of the ABC Development when that Division was NSW Government’s Discovery After Dark dissolved during the restructure. event, attracting more than 3 000 visitors to the complex. It also managed the successful Corporate Marketing national tour of the Through Australian The Corporate Marketing unit manages Eyes exhibition on the history of the ABC’s the ABC brand, its partnerships, cross foreign correspondents. promotions, community events and cross-divisional marketing needs. As well as supporting advertising campaigns for the Television, Radio and New Media and In 2004–05, the unit continued to Digital Services Divisions, the unit provided focus on brand awareness and identifying key support for the badging and launch of the opportunities to reach new audiences. It ABC’s new digital television channel, ABC2. also increased the level of community contact with a record number of events staged in every state and territory.

During the year, emphasis was placed on taking ABC programs, presenters and products into communities through 102 Annual Report 2004–05

Strategy and Communications (Continued)

Media and Communications Further details about the nature and The Media and Communications unit subject of contacts received by Audience manages ABC media relations and internal and Consumer Affairs can be found in communications, including the ABC’s Corporate Governance (p.148). corporate website and the ABC intranet. The unit publishes an external newsletter, Audience Research Inside the ABC, and a staff newsletter, Strategy and Communications abcXchange. manages Audience Research on behalf of the Corporation. In 2004–05, the Significant media issues managed by the ABC subscribed to a range of audience unit included: a statement by the Managing measurement data and commissioned Director refuting allegations that the research to help measure its audiences; decision to replace George Negus Tonight inform programming, scheduling and with state-based television programming marketing decisions; and gauge was based on funding considerations; the audience attitudes to its services. ICRP decision on the Four Corners program ‘Lords of the Forest’; the ABC’s response Information on the ABC’s audiences to the Australian Broadcasting Authority’s in 2004–05 can be found in ABC findings over the former minister’s complaint Audiences (p.26). about coverage of the war in Iraq by AM; and responses by the Managing Director to Corporate Planning criticisms of the ABC concerning coverage and Governance of live news events and the decline of The role of the Corporate Planning and drama production at the ABC. Governance unit is to provide corporate management and the Board with strategic The unit also assisted with major addresses support, analysis and advice relating to given by the Chairman at the National Press the positioning, policy and governance of Club and the Managing Director at the the Corporation. Specifically, it provides American Chamber of Commerce in Sydney. industry and policy analysis, coordinates corporate planning and policy work, Audience and Consumer Affairs produces the Annual Report and external Audience and Consumer Affairs’ key role submissions, and participates in major is to ensure that program complaints are corporate projects. handled in accordance with the guidelines set out in the ABC Editorial Policies and in It concluded work on the ABC Corporate particular, to investigate complaints that Plan 2004–07, which came into effect relate to issues covered by the ABC’s Code in July 2004, and provided twice-yearly of Practice. The ABC’s Code of Practice performance reports to the Board. outlines a range of program standards against which the ABC can be publicly The unit contributed significantly judged. The unit also responds to a to the continuing development of a large number of programming and 10-year Integrated Capital Strategy for policy enquiries. the Corporation, including a two-day 103 Annual Report 2004–05

Some of the 3 000 visitors to the ABC Ultimo Centre in Sydney, which was opened to the public as part of the NSW Government’s Discovery After Dark event.

strategic planning workshop to develop The unit continued to coordinate the ABC- a perspective of the ABC’s long-term wide implementation of the Designing and business outlook. It participated at a Implementing Record Keeping Systems senior level in preparation for the Funding (DIRKS) methodology used by the National Adequacy and Efficiency Review to be Archives of Australia (NAA) to ensure it is commissioned by the Department of meeting its records management obligations Communications, Information Technology under the Archives Act 1983. Working with and the Arts, and in preparatory work the NAA, the project team developed a towards preparation of the Corporation’s corporation-wide information management next Triennial Funding Submission to the policy and framework for the retention and Government. Unit staff continued work in disposal of information, based on the ABC’s coordinating a major review and updating of specific business and content related the ABC’s corporate policies and, specifically, functions. A draft Records Disposal the 2005 review of ABC Editorial Policies. Authority and Audiovisual Sentencing The Unit managed the ABC’s relationship Guidelines were issued along with a with the Australian National Audit Office Business Classification Scheme unique (ANAO) during the major performance to the Corporation. audit of Management of the Conversion to Digital Broadcasting (television). Corporate In response to the growing awareness Planning and Governance also assisted the among senior ABC managers of Managing Director in preparing a top-level contemporary issues of corporate re-alignment of management structures governance, the unit provided advice and accountabilities; and prepared or and presentations to individuals and contributed to a range of submissions management groups, including the to Government, Parliamentary and/or State and Territory Directors of the ABC. regulatory reviews. 104 Annual Report 2004–05

Strategy and Communications (Continued)

These included particular reference not made by the Australian Security Intelligence only to the Corporation’s obligations Organisation Amendment (Terrorism) Act but also to the duties and liabilities of 2003; Departmental reviews of the provision corporate officers and other managers. of services other than simulcasting by free-to-air broadcasters on digital spectrum, Corporate Planning and Governance the structural efficiency of Broadcasting commenced the design and production Services Band spectrum, the viability work for the ABC Annual Report 2004–05. of creating an Indigenous Television ABC Annual Reports for the two previous Broadcasting Service, the introduction of years won Gold awards as part of the digital radio and high definition television Australasian Reporting Awards program. quota arrangements; Australian Communications Authority discussion Government and papers on private management of Parliamentary Relations encumbered spectrum bands and The Government and Parliamentary the management of interference from Relations unit oversees the Corporation’s broadband-over-powerline applications; relationship with the Parliament of Australia, and the Review of Australia’s Pit and Commonwealth Government Departments Symphony Orchestras (the Strong Review). and State Parliaments. The ABC appeared before the Senate Key functions of the unit are to Estimates Committee on two occasions coordinate and respond to Parliamentary during the year—in February and May 2005. and departmental requests for information, While November 2004 Supplementary build collaborative working relationships and Budget Estimates were not held, due to the to monitor developments in Parliament October General Election, Questions were which are of interest to the ABC. taken. The ABC provided 155 answers to Senate Estimates Questions on Notice The ABC provided formal submissions during the year. to a range of Government, Parliamentary and regulatory reviews. These included International Relations inquiries by the Senate Environment, The Corporation maintained its Communications, Information Technology support for and involvement in the and the Arts Committee into the powers of activities of international public Australia’s communications regulators and broadcasting organisations, such as the the provisions of the Broadcasting Services Commonwealth Broadcasting Association Amendment (Anti-Siphoning) Bill 2004; an (CBA), the Asia-Pacific Broadcasting inquiry by the House of Representatives Union (ABU), and Public Broadcasting Standing Committee on Communications, International (PBI) and the European Information Technology and the Arts into Broadcasting Union (EBU). the uptake of digital television in Australia; a review by the Joint Parliamentary As a member of the Executive Committee Committee on ASIO, ASIS and DSD into of the CBA, the ABC participated in the 60th the Australian Security and Intelligence anniversary celebrations of the Association Organisation Act 1979, and amendments in London, which commemorated the first 105 Annual Report 2004–05

Commonwealth Broadcasting Conference State and Territory Directors meeting there in February 1945. With The State and Territory Directors represent Britain, Canada, New Zealand, South the breadth of the ABC’s business as the Africa and India, the ABC was a foundation national broadcaster. Their roles advance member of the CBA, building upon the the interests and objectives of the ABC close cooperation developed during the in each state and territory, and work to Second World War among the national enhance community appreciation of the broadcasters of the Commonwealth. Corporation through local leadership and strategic management. The Managing Director attended the ABU’s ‘Chief Executive Study Tour’ in In 2004–05, the State and Territory Directors April. Hosted by the Korean Broadcasting administered important cross-divisional System, the tour demonstrated how new projects such as business continuity planning technology can be successfully implemented and emergency management. To this end, the to achieve business and organisational Directors negotiated formal partnerships objectives and to enable organisations with emergency agencies in each jurisdiction to make informed decisions on new to ensure the ABC is the most relevant and broadcasting activities. The Corporation accurate source of information at times of was also represented at the ABU General community crisis. Assembly in July 2004 and various planning and technical meetings throughout the year. The State and Territory Directors also coordinated major community The ABC also continued to benefit from events, particularly in South Australia regular contact with public broadcasters and Tasmania, designed to showcase around the world and has welcomed to the programs, expertise and diversity of its offices in Australia delegations from the ABC. They also played a key role in Swedish Radio, Danish Radio, Susuradio significant local infrastructure projects, (the Finnish Division of Swedish Radio), such as the Corporation’s new headquarters the Samoan Ministry for Communications in Perth. Various Directors oversaw local and Information Technology, the Malaysian and Federal election coverage, performed RTV Network and a visit by the Managing the duties of the Complaints Review Director of the Tanzanian Broadcasting Executive and conducted internal Services, which was funded by a CBA freedom of information (FOI) reviews. Bursary. A delegation from the international exchange program ‘Ship for World Youth’ Among the State and Territory Directors’ also visited as a part of an international responsibilities is overseeing operations tour by youth from the sponsoring country at a local level. In 2004–05, this included Japan and other parts of the world. a particular emphasis on the areas of risk management, monitoring local occupational health and safety issues and overseeing governance at a local level.