Before the drought, before the bushfires, before Coronavirus – regional media was in trouble.
Following decades of contraction, newsroom closures are now occurring at an accelerated rate. In June last year, WIN News shut its bureaus in Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Bundaberg. At the start of March, it was announced the Australian Associated Press will soon cease with the loss of 180 jobs. More recently we lost a number of small Victorian regional newspapers and News Corp announced an end to printing of 60 regional papers across the country.
These closures cannot be measured in raw dollars terms, they impact entire communities and cost us culturally, economically, even democratically.
Rural media places journalists in our courtrooms and council chambers. These journalists follow state and federal politics and hold local state and federal politicians, such as myself, to account.
But I am not just the occasional subject of the local news, I am also an avid consumer. As a member of my community, I am connected to and saddened by the loss of each and every local journalist.
Regional journalists cover more than politics and courts, they cover community. They follow sports and venture into our schools and aged-care facilities, our churches and our clubs. They attend our local festivals and events, our plays and our musicals. These journalists cover our culture – explain it, curate it, disseminate and store it.
These journalists also guard against corruption.
Studies out of the UK, the US and Australia indicate where local media closes, communities suffer a commensurate rise in corruption, political disengagement and a heightened distrust in public institutions.
The author of a 2016 King’s College London study, Dr Martin Moore, observed, “We can all have our own social media account, but when local papers are depleted or in some cases simply don’t exist, people lose a communal voice. They feel angry, not listened to and more likely to believe malicious rumour.”
In 2019, Australia’s Public Interest Journalism Initiative found that a third of Local Government Areas reported no journalists attended local government meetings. That year’s Australian Local Government Association annual report lamented “a large part of local government business goes entirely unscrutinised and unreported.”
In the United States, the term “news desert” has been coined. A recent Harvard Business Review claimed, “the demise of local newspapers (is) linked to a rise in local corruption and an increase in polarisation, as news consumers rely more on partisan-influenced national outlets for their information.”
So, what is going wrong?
Ask any editor or advertising manager and you will receive a different answer which amounts to the same answer. The editor will tell you the online media giants, primarily Google and Facebook, are stealing their content. The ad manager will tell you the same entities are taking the revenue. This is particularly concerning when considering Google and Facebook do not create content, they merely collate and serve someone else’s in one form or another.
For two decades local media have been struggling with how to transform themselves onto digital platforms to varying degrees of success. Many have been extremely innovative. They have experimented with paywalls of various types, paywalls that most have cast down during the Coronavirus Crisis to give their communities free access to the latest vital information.
Online news traffic has reportedly surged by more than 100 per cent in recent months as rural and regional Australians flock to dedicated, reliable local news services. Simultaneously sources of advertising are plummeting as regional businesses stand-down or close.
The Victorian State and Federal Governments have recently made welcomed moves to assist regional media with millions of dollars in relief packages. Last week the ACCC pledged a new framework to force Google and Facebook to pay for regional news content. And yet, despite all of these important measures we are still seeing closures, our local media is still under threat.
If we wish to maintain a healthy and vibrant media now and when we emerge on the other side of this crisis regional media needs this government support, but it also needs the support of local communities. The alternative is a future without regional media which is a bleak future indeed.
Homelessness in our Electorate
/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna SheedSome issues have been brought to stark prominence by the Coronavirus Pandemic. Homelessness is frequently front of mind in politics and the media – the stay-at-home measures elevated it even further. How does someone stay-at-home without a home?
I am proud to observe a lot of work has been done combatting the problem over the last few months, the Victorian government has released millions in extra funding and not-for-profit organisations such as our own BeyondHousing have been putting in the extra mile, but I am concerned what happens on the other side of this crisis.
Since last November, my office has been conducting a review into the issue of homelessness in our region and some of the findings are sobering.
We experience some of the highest instances of homelessness in regional Victoria. People on the streets, the so-called “rough-sleepers” form only a small component, around seven per cent according to the data. There are also the “hidden homelessness,” hundreds of individuals and families who live daily with high levels of housing insecurity. These people are forced to couch surf and rely on the good-will of friends and family and they grapple daily with the worry of where they will sleep the following night.
Everyone deserves a door they can lock, a bed they can sleep in and a place to prepare a meal. Without these necessities life can quickly descend into a dark and miserable existence. Without these necessities, it can be extremely difficult to maintain a job or even basic health needs.
Our investigations have revealed we have a lot of great organisations in our region working hard to help those experiencing homelessness across the not-for-profit sector, but there are also noticeable problems.
Right now, we have more than twenty government social housing properties sitting vacant. Some of them have been vacant for years. I have asked the Minister for Housing to look into this. On Monday, the minister announced half-a-billion dollars to renovate and revitalise government owned social housing stock and it is only appropriate part of this spend occurs here.
The Victorian government has also pledged to build over 1000 new social housing properties across the state. Again, I have asked that the electorate with the highest rate of homelessness in regional Victoria receive some of the highest levels of social housing investment in regional Victoria.
There are many causes of homelessness such as family violence, mental health issues and drug and alcohol abuse, but one of the growing issues is simple housing affordability. I will continue to lobby the government on solutions to these myriad causes of homelessness in our region.
We have made significant gains over the last five years across health, education and infrastructure investment and I am committed to adding reducing homelessness to that list.
Sheed celebrates funding for new world class school
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedIndependent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed today thanked Premier Daniel Andrews and Education Minister James Merlino for delivering on their promise to fund Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s new state-of-the-art campus.
“It’s still sinking in and I would like to thank the Premier and Minister for keeping their word and funding this fantastic new campus,” Ms Sheed said.
“Both have visited our region numerous times, and both have sat down with parents, carers, students and teachers. By delivering this $119 million – around $20 million more than originally flagged I might add – together with $21.5 million in last year’s budget, they have demonstrated they understand the needs of our community, the need to super-charge state secondary education in our region to create better pathways and equality of outcomes for some of the most needy students in Victoria.”
Launched in April 2017, the funding announcement forms another milestone in the Shepparton Education Plan, a decade long strategy to revolutionise state education in the Shepparton region.
“This plan is a very deliberate and methodical overhaul of state education in my electorate which targets every level of development, from early childhood through to Year 12 and beyond,” Ms Sheed said.
“We all know why we needed this transformation. For decades, outcomes were not good enough and our state students were neglected for far too long.
“All of that is changing now. The Mooroopna Integrated Early Learning Centre is under construction. Greater Shepparton Secondary College is up and running and now its campus is under construction. The tertiary pathways are expanding. Soon state students in Shepparton will have the kind of opportunities once reserved for their metropolitan counterparts.
“This is a great time for the region and I sincerely thank everyone involved for their persistent advocacy and support.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.vic.gov.au
Click here for PDF version
Sheed calls for government support of regional universities
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedIndependent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on both the Victorian State and Federal Governments to support regional university campuses impacted by the Coronavirus Pandemic.
“In discussions with university leadership, I have been staggered to learn how dire the financial position of these vital institutions has become due to the current crisis,” Ms Sheed said.
“They have reportedly lost hundreds of millions of dollars from their annual budgets and are facing critical funding decisions. We cannot allow this situation to damage the extremely important task of training and educating high-skilled workers in regions such as my electorate.”
Many years of careful planning and work to provide first-class tertiary education pathways in Victoria’s regions is being placed at risk, according to Ms Sheed.
“We’ve long known we have difficulty retaining professionals in the regions and we also know one of the best ways to attract and keep professionals, such as health workers, paramedics, social workers, doctors, nurses and teachers, is to train them here. They come from our community or become part of the community and they stay,” Ms Sheed said.
“La Trobe University and the University of Melbourne both offer education and training in Shepparton and both have created a fantastic program where young people in my electorate can study medicine locally and receive their full qualifications, going on to work at GV Health if they wish. We know this system is working. I would be devastated to see such a program and others like it put at risk by this sudden funding crisis.”
Universities are not eligible for the Federal Government’s Jobkeeper program. Without Jobkeeper one university alone with links to the Shepparton region will face the loss of 600 to 800 jobs or up to a quarter of all staff across its entire organisation, according to information supplied to Ms Sheed.
“Across the entire sector, a loss of more than 20 per cent of staff will severely impact the ability of our tertiary institutions to deliver quality teaching and training in both the metropolitan and regional areas but I expect the regions will be particularly hard hit considering their smaller campus sizes and lower resistance to cuts,” Ms Sheed said.
“The Independent Federal Member for Indi Helen Haines has been demanding the Federal Government extend Jobkeeper to universities and I strongly lend my support to her position.
“I will also be investigating how the Victorian State Government can get behind regional campuses. We cannot allow the Coronavirus Pandemic to destroy the ability of regional Victorians to train for high-skilled positions in their own communities allowing them to go on to contribute to the social and economic health of those communities. It is very clear that in the years ahead we will need a highly educated and skilled workforce to deal with the human and economic fallout of this pandemic.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au
Click here for PDF version
Fight for Regional Media
/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna SheedBefore the drought, before the bushfires, before Coronavirus – regional media was in trouble.
Following decades of contraction, newsroom closures are now occurring at an accelerated rate. In June last year, WIN News shut its bureaus in Orange, Wagga Wagga, Albury and Bundaberg. At the start of March, it was announced the Australian Associated Press will soon cease with the loss of 180 jobs. More recently we lost a number of small Victorian regional newspapers and News Corp announced an end to printing of 60 regional papers across the country.
These closures cannot be measured in raw dollars terms, they impact entire communities and cost us culturally, economically, even democratically.
Rural media places journalists in our courtrooms and council chambers. These journalists follow state and federal politics and hold local state and federal politicians, such as myself, to account.
But I am not just the occasional subject of the local news, I am also an avid consumer. As a member of my community, I am connected to and saddened by the loss of each and every local journalist.
Regional journalists cover more than politics and courts, they cover community. They follow sports and venture into our schools and aged-care facilities, our churches and our clubs. They attend our local festivals and events, our plays and our musicals. These journalists cover our culture – explain it, curate it, disseminate and store it.
These journalists also guard against corruption.
Studies out of the UK, the US and Australia indicate where local media closes, communities suffer a commensurate rise in corruption, political disengagement and a heightened distrust in public institutions.
The author of a 2016 King’s College London study, Dr Martin Moore, observed, “We can all have our own social media account, but when local papers are depleted or in some cases simply don’t exist, people lose a communal voice. They feel angry, not listened to and more likely to believe malicious rumour.”
In 2019, Australia’s Public Interest Journalism Initiative found that a third of Local Government Areas reported no journalists attended local government meetings. That year’s Australian Local Government Association annual report lamented “a large part of local government business goes entirely unscrutinised and unreported.”
In the United States, the term “news desert” has been coined. A recent Harvard Business Review claimed, “the demise of local newspapers (is) linked to a rise in local corruption and an increase in polarisation, as news consumers rely more on partisan-influenced national outlets for their information.”
So, what is going wrong?
Ask any editor or advertising manager and you will receive a different answer which amounts to the same answer. The editor will tell you the online media giants, primarily Google and Facebook, are stealing their content. The ad manager will tell you the same entities are taking the revenue. This is particularly concerning when considering Google and Facebook do not create content, they merely collate and serve someone else’s in one form or another.
For two decades local media have been struggling with how to transform themselves onto digital platforms to varying degrees of success. Many have been extremely innovative. They have experimented with paywalls of various types, paywalls that most have cast down during the Coronavirus Crisis to give their communities free access to the latest vital information.
Online news traffic has reportedly surged by more than 100 per cent in recent months as rural and regional Australians flock to dedicated, reliable local news services. Simultaneously sources of advertising are plummeting as regional businesses stand-down or close.
The Victorian State and Federal Governments have recently made welcomed moves to assist regional media with millions of dollars in relief packages. Last week the ACCC pledged a new framework to force Google and Facebook to pay for regional news content. And yet, despite all of these important measures we are still seeing closures, our local media is still under threat.
If we wish to maintain a healthy and vibrant media now and when we emerge on the other side of this crisis regional media needs this government support, but it also needs the support of local communities. The alternative is a future without regional media which is a bleak future indeed.
Sheed liaising with Ministers during Coronavirus
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedAs the Coronavirus Pandemic unfolds, Independent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has been liaising closely with ministers in the Victorian Government advocating for her electorate and the wider regional community.
“These are extraordinary times due to Stage Three Measures and I would like to thank the many ministers for making themselves available on a regular basis to hear my concerns and those of my electorate,” Ms Sheed said.
“Some of our discussions have involved broad areas of advocacy, such as the need to roll out extra online digital tools with Education Minister James Merlino or the pressing issue of family violence, especially for those women experiencing homelessness, with Minister Gabrielle Williams.
“Other communications have included the Treasurer Tim Pallas and the many important projects that have had their funding announcements potentially postponed due to the delayed budget including the Shepparton-Mooroopna Bypass and Greater Shepparton Secondary College’s new campus.”
The plight of regional media during the Coronavirus Pandemic was brought to the attention of Premier Andrews in March and the subsequent $4.7 million assistance package announced in April was timely and well received, according to Ms Sheed.
“My office has also been receiving many individual representations from the community and we have been passing on those concerns to the ministry where appropriate,” Ms Sheed said.
“Last month the Goulburn Valley Aero Club voiced concerns Stage Three Restrictions may prevent necessary maintenance flights and this matter has been brought to the attention of the Premier.
“This is a challenging time and the necessary rules for keeping us all safe and helping to overcome the Coronavirus Pandemic have meant my office is busier than ever as many of my constituents raise their concerns and I would like to reassure my community that the business of government continues.
“These are very unusual circumstances and I commend the premier and cabinet for making themselves regularly available to local members to listen, to take on board any worthwhile suggestions and to respond as needed.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@parliament.vic.gov.au
Click here for PDF version
Coronavirus Crisis
/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna SheedThe Coronavirus Crisis has been hard on all of us but I am proud of how well our community is responding to the challenge, especially in our smaller townships.
Through natural disasters, through fires, floods and droughts, our region has always displayed considerable resilience.
With our schools closed to all but the children of essential service workers and those who cannot study at home and many facing extended isolation it is important we draw on that resilience and continue to look out for one another.
I am particularly concerned about those enduring the lock-down alone. If you know of someone in isolation without household or family support, I encourage you to pick up the phone and call them. Any and every act of simple kindness can make a huge difference at a time like this.
My office is available to help during the lock-down. We have fielded many requests for assistance and information and while we cannot always help, we often know who can.
If you are running a small business, we can point you to multiple state and federal government programs. If you are out of work or having difficulty with your employment, we can also let you know what measures have been put in place to help through the crisis. If you are having difficulty sourcing the basics like food and hygiene products, we can direct you to state government support.
Check in with your family and friends and take care of yourself. This is an unprecedented event and there is no “normal” way to handle it. If you are feeling overwhelmed, as many of us rightfully have been, reach out to others. It is OK to be uncertain or worried or fearful during a time like this. It is OK to ask for help.
Our country and our region have displayed incredible efforts and co-operation in reducing the spread of the virus and our collective efforts are succeeding – the proof is the low rate of infection.
I encourage you to visit www.treasury.gov.au to see the full available supports by the Australian Government and www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus for the Victorian State Government supports.
Stay safe. Stay home.
Digital Inclusion at Greater Shepparton Secondary College
/0 Comments/in Blog, Latest News /by Suzanna SheedIn September last year, experts and locals gathered at St Paul’s African House for the launch of the latest Australian Digital Inclusion Index. At the launch an interesting idea was discussed on student digital inclusion and equality.
Read more
Sheed urges local action on Coronavirus funding
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedIndependent Member for Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed is urging local not-for-profits, local governments and businesses to take up opportunities under the Working for Victoria Fund.
The fund is currently being rolled out by the Victorian State Government and is a good opportunity for organisations to expand their workforces by devising innovative projects that will employ local people in local jobs, according to Ms Sheed, ensuring retention of the existing workforce and providing wider community benefits through the work undertaken.
Funding has already been allocated to organisations such as FoodBank in Melbourne to employ additional staff to meet the growing needs within the community assembling and delivering food parcels. It has also supported one local government organisation to employ a large group of people to clean the city and over 450 people to assist with the quarantine effort across the state.
“Organisations in the Shepparton District should ensure that they take up these opportunities for funding being offered by the government. There are many areas in our towns that could benefit from this extra support and fast-tracking of projects,” Ms Sheed said.
“We know that local government has had a tree planting program with timeframes extending over a number of years. People could perhaps be employed to complete this project in months. Similarly, the Avenue of Honour on the Goulburn Valley Highway south of Shepparton is in poor condition and in need of refurbishment. Restoration would require hands-on labour which again could be carried out through a local authority.
“Firewood will be required for vulnerable families in the forthcoming winter months and the collection for people in need through an employment program would benefit those families and individuals in need. This is a time to be creative in relation to the sorts of projects that could be put to government.
“I am pleased that local governments in my electorate along with the Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority are making applications for funding to take advantage of this opportunity to partner with government to keep our local people in jobs.
“I encourage our local community organisations to urgently respond to the request for funding for projects from the Working for Victoria Fund.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.com.au
Click here for PDF version
Sheed calls for share of new Mental Health Funding
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedIndependent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley to include her electorate in a recently announced funding boost.
On Sunday, the Minister and Premier Daniel Andrews announced an additional $59.4 million to assist Victorians struggling with mental health issues due to the Coronavirus Crisis. The package includes $17.8 million for an additional 170 mental health beds and $7 million to expand “telehealth” mental health services.
While thanking the government for the extra-funding, Ms Sheed raised concerns over how it would be allocated.
“It is clear from the figures that there is an unprecedented number of people seeking mental health support as they work through the lock-down period,” Ms Sheed said.
In a letter sent to the Minister on Tuesday, Ms Sheed called for part of the funding to be directed to her electorate with recent consultations and inquiries finding the need in the Shepparton District was overwhelming.
“You will be aware from the round tables in Shepparton and the evidence before the Royal Commission into mental health services that my region has a great need for improvement in services with a significant lack of mental health beds being readily available within the region,” Ms Sheed wrote.
“I would be grateful if you could provide me with information in relation to this package of additional funding, what services within the Shepparton region you anticipate will benefit by it and how I may be engaged in working with agencies to ensure that their needs are taken into consideration by this funding boost.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.vic.gov.au
Click here for PDF version
Sheed calls on Federal Government to release Keelty report
/0 Comments/in Media Releases /by Suzanna SheedIndependent Member for the Shepparton District Suzanna Sheed has called on the Federal Minister for Water Keith Pitt to release the findings of the Inspector-General of Murray–Darling Basin Water Resources Mick Keelty’s inquiry into water sharing-arrangements between the states.
“We are in the midst of a crisis, but that does not mean extremely important information, such as the findings of this inquiry, can be buried for six months,” Ms Sheed said.
“I am concerned that Federal Parliament will not sit until October and the be outcomes of various reports and inquiries may be put on the back burner during the pandemic response.
Mr Keelty’s inquiry is too important to remain on Minister Pitt’s desk, according to Ms Sheed.
“I have written to Minister Pitt and called on him to make this advice available publicly and as a matter of urgency following his receiving it. As Mr Keelty currently has no statutory appointment his advice is not a document that needs to be tabled in Parliament which in any event would be very difficult in the current circumstances.
“I am informed that this document does not require tabling in either house of the Federal Parliament and accordingly it will be in the Minister’s hands to make it available,” Ms Sheed said.
“The Minister must know that access to water in the Southern Basin is critical to food production such as, dairy products, rice, wheat and other cereals not to mention the huge variety of fruit and vegetables being produced.
“Water policy is arguably now more important as a result of the Coronavirus crisis, not less.
“If Mr Keelty’s findings indicate that change is needed in how we distribute water, then we must be given the opportunity to assess the recommendations and see what is achievable.”
ENDS
Media contact
Myles Peterson 0467 035 840│myles.peterson@suzannasheed.vic.gov.au
Click here for PDF version