The ABC’s contract for the provision of Network Australia has been extended by six months while the Federal Government seeks additional information from tenderers for the new contract.

 

Network Australia is Australia’s international television service broadcasting across Asia, India and the Pacific.

 

According to a government statement, the extension is due to changed international circumstances since the Australia Network Request For Tender was issued, and the Government’s decision that “national interests should be addressed more broadly”.

 

Tenderers have been asked to submit amended bids to specifically address how their operation of the Australia Network service would meet Australia’s national interests in the light of the increasing influence of key emerging markets on the global economy, significant political transformation occurring across the Middle East and North Africa, and the need identified during recent consular crises for strengthened associated information services through a range of sources.

 

The current contract with the ABC expires on 8 August 2011, and will be extended for six months until 8 February 2012. The amended Australia Network Request for Tender will be released shortly and a decision on Preferred Tenderer is expected to be taken by September 2011.

 

The decision on the Preferred Tenderer will be referred for Cabinet consideration.