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$376m for digital switchover scheme

The government puts aside $376.5m to assist Australians to make the switch to digital TV, but cops criticism its another roof insulation fiasco

The Gillard government last night outlined its scheme to assist Australians to make the switch to digital television at a cost of $376.5 million.

Eligible households will receive a high-definition set-top box, installed on existing TVs with a demonstration on how to use the equipment. The government has already put out for tenders to install in New South Wales.

In a statement Senator Conroy said, “For most people, making the switch to digital television is straightforward and inexpensive.

“However, the Government recognises that some Australians, particularly the elderly, people with disabilities and their carers, may require assistance to switch to digital TV.”

The costs break down as:

•$308.8 million for continued support for the Household Assistance Scheme (HAS) into regional New South Wales/ACT, Tasmania, Northern Territory, Western Australia and State capital cities, so that eligible pension recipients are provided with the professional assistance they need to convert to digital television;
•$44.1 million for extending and enhancing on-the-ground community engagement through localised communication within each switchover area, backed up by targeted advertising campaigns and the comprehensive digitalready.gov.au website;
•$21.3 million to continue the work of the Digital Switchover Taskforce for the remainder of the switchover process; and
•$2.4 million to the Australian Communications and Media Authority to continue its coverage evaluation program to ensure that broadcasters are meeting their statutory obligations and inform consumers of digital reception in their areas.

But reports yesterday claimed each installation was costing about $350 and some up to $400.

Ballarat TV technician Frank Schaefer said he had received more than 20 calls from pensioners for boxes that were either not working or had been installed incorrectly.

“This is daylight robbery,” he told News Limited.

“It is extremely over-priced and the Queensland based contractors didn’t seem to know what they were doing.

“At least half a dozen were faulty and many were not connected properly.”

Treasurer Swan was forced to defend the move, which is already being likened to the roof insulation fiasco.

“There are accredited people who not only provide the box but set it up and work with the household to make sure it works,” he said.

“This program is working well, it is of great benefit to our pensioners, who have worked hard over generations to make our economy strong and it’s an important program and it’s one that we strongly support.”

16 Responses

  1. I also think a system should have been created where a pensioner uses a government service to register for this service, the service sends them a voucher for a set top box. If needed, another voucher to get a local electrician to come and install the device.

    $400 for this service? What an utter waste. I’m offended my tax dollars is being poured down the drain in such a matter.

  2. I have a feeling there’s an opposition/media beat up going on here. In the instances where it has cost $300+ it’s likely the installer had to replace the aerial and coax cabling as well as install the box. Digital TV does not cope well with outdated and poorly maintained cabling. I bet a lot of older houses and units that retirees have been living in for yonks probably still have ribbon cable and antennae from the 1970s and 80s.

  3. Why not just give the pensioners a one-off payment of $100. If they choose to use it for the STB, well and good. If they spend it on smokes and their TV goes black in 2 years, that’s their choice. $400 per installation on an open-ended program has stuff up written all over it.

    For those that think the program is a good idea as currently proposed, I have a Harbour Bridge for sale if interested.

  4. It’s just like the home insulation scheme all over again!

    IMO what they should have done is give over vouchers to be used by local retailers and installers and a list in you area, then it’s up to them to call or go to their local retailer to organize thing, it would probably cut the cost in half to less than $200 including installation.

  5. What a joke!
    STB’s cost approx $70 and take 5 mintues to install.
    RF in and Video out into your TV, it tunes itself and presto…
    So where does the $350 per install come from?????
    Bloody bureaucrats!!

  6. At what point to Pensioners start getting treated like children who can’t put their pants on? At what point do they all get treated like they can’t do anything?

    If I remained completely ignorant to something like the digital tv swap over, should I get a free STB?

    I understand for some there is a need but really, some responsibility has to be taken on behalf of the majority of pensioners to ensure they keep on top of these things.

    Isn’t over a decade of switch over enough?

  7. My husband and I are on full disability and carer pensions so we would qualify for this, but don’t need it because I bought a PVR and a set top box and set them up myself (We also have a HD TV which was given to us by my husband’s mother).

    It would be cheaper and more practical to give elderly citizens a new HD TV rather than a set top box for their analogue TVs which are probably donkey’s years old anyway!

  8. ffs.. if retirees can afford $15 a day on smokes, they can surely afford a $50 stb! what a complete waste of our money, and another ill advised move by this government 🙁

  9. This really is another major rip off. The Govt should have bought a job lot from Chian for about $5 each and just handed them out. You can even get HD TVs with built in tuners for less than $350. That old saying still rings true ‘A fool and his money are easily parted’, except it is our money and not Mr Swans.

  10. Ballarat TV technician Frank Schaefer is full of rubbish and just wants his name in the papers. Why does Every government scheme, that seems to be for the good of people, always have rubbish stories like this attached to it?

  11. “A demonstration how to use the equipment?

    So now the federal government is responsible for teaching people how to use technology?

    Talk about a Nanny state. Crazy.

  12. Installation is easy enough. The problem will arise in ongoing support. Once the government provides the equipment and service, support will be expected. Especially if they are targeting the elderly, there will be a lot of people not remembering which button to press or accidentally switching their TV off AV input or something. It’s all very well a technician saying it’s up and running right now… see ya later!

  13. Just another example of how costs inflate when govts get involved. If anything, they should have just offered a voucher to eligible people to buy a set top box but this govt wants to get it’s hands into everything. Usually with disasterous results.

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