Australian Gov't Stalls Important Vote On How Major Sports Are Broadcast On TV

The Australian federal government has "stalled a crucial vote on laws" to decide the way major sports are shown live on TV amid warnings the reforms had become a "dog's breakfast" that would not work, according to David Crowe of THE AUSTRALIAN. In the face of confusion over how it could enforce a plan to take Australian Football League and National Rugby League games from free-to-air networks, the government "has delayed a decision on the sports broadcasting laws." The "rancorous debate" has raised questions as to how the government could possibly guarantee that viewers get the best football games on free-to-air TV each week rather than having to switch to pay-TV. Communications Minister Stephen Conroy "sought to gain more time to complete the reform" as the Coalition and the Greens called for more clarity over how his proposed regime would function. Conroy has guaranteed voters that they "will not be forced to pay to see the best football games or other live sport under a revised anti-siphoning list of events that must be shown on free-to-air TV networks" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 9/14).