Rebates for all?

According to a report in The Australian, radio stations are likely to lobby the Federal Communications Minister Stephen Conroy, asking him to match for them the $250 million rebate it gave the television licence holders. Fairfax Media chief Brian McCarthy told the paper: "I don't quite understand why TV licence fees were reduced while radio licence fees weren't included. I don't think TV is any different." Of course, there are many other businesses who also have strong cases to ask for a reduction in the fees, taxes and other charges they pay the government -- and I'm sure they would be especially keen if, as with the gift to the TV networks, no strings are attached. As The Australian points out, critics are saying that the television stations should be obliged to spend at least some of their savings on Australian content.