RPH Australia is the national peak representative organisation for a unique Australian network of radio reading services designed to meet the daily information needs of people who, for any reason, are unable to access printed material. It is estimated that 22% of the Australian population has a print disability (over 5 million).
7-578: Historically, RPH stood for "Radio for the Print Handicapped", and these services began in Australia in 1975 on Melbourne's 3ZZ . On 23 July 1978, the Minister for Post and Telecommunications announced, "The establishment of a special radio communications service for the blind and other people with reading difficulties." The federal government began its direct funding of the service with
14-622: A $ 250,000 grant in the 1981–82 budget. Initially using marine band (today's extended AM broadcast band ) frequencies, stations in Hobart, Melbourne, and Sydney began operating. 7RPH Hobart went to air in June 1982. 3RPH Melbourne was officially opened in December the same year. By 1984–85, RPH services were also operating in Brisbane and Canberra. After another review, the specialised stations of
21-755: Is currently held by Michelle Rowland in the Albanese ministry since 1 June 2022, following the Australian federal election in 2022 . In the Government of Australia , the ministers administer the portfolio through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts . Portfolio agencies and bodies include: The minister responsible for telecommunications policy has had various titles. From 1901 until December 1975 it
28-576: The service transferred to normal broadcast band frequencies in 1990 and 1991. Material from the network is heard on a small number of non-network community stations in Australia and on the Radio Reading Service of New Zealand. In December 2013, all RPH Australia network stations joined the new VAST satellite platform. In February 2016, funding from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
35-580: The third Hawke Ministry implemented a two-level ministerial structure, with distinctions drawn between senior and junior ministers. This arrangement has been continued by subsequent ministries; however, junior ministers have been appointed in the telecommunications portfolio on only five occasions. Senior ministers are shown in the table above. The following individuals have been appointed as the Minister for Digital Transformation, or any of its precedent titles: The following individuals have been appointed as
42-541: Was called into question after July 2016, with 1RPH being the first station to have funding from previous Disability services sources withdrawn. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (Australia) The Australian Minister for Communications has the overall responsibility for broadcasting , the information and communications technology industry, the information economy , and telecommunications within Australia. The portfolio
49-539: Was the Postmaster-General, who administered the portfolio through the Postmaster-General's Department . The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Communications, or any of its precedent titles: Notes The following individuals have been appointed as Minister for Regional Communications, or any of its precedent titles: On 24 July 1987 ( 1987-07-24 ) ,
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