Digital TV Switchover - Household assistance scheme now open for Illawarra (13/01/2012)
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today encouraged eligible households across Southern and Central NSW (including the Illawarra), the ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area to opt in to the Australian Government’s Household Assistance Scheme (HAS).
“As part of the Government’s Digital Switchover, analog TV will be permanently switched off across Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area on 5 June,” Senator Conroy explained.
“I am pleased to announce the Household Assistance Scheme is currently open right across the switchover region to provide practical in-home support to eligible households in making the switch to digital TV.”
HAS provides supply and installation of a high definition set-top box, a demonstration of how to use the equipment and, where necessary, upgrades to antennas, cabling or satellite equipment, at no cost to eligible recipients.
HAS is available to people receiving the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Carer Payment, or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement who do not have access to digital TV. Centrelink is writing to eligible people across the region inviting them to opt in.
“I encourage those eligible to access HAS now to ensure installation of digital TV equipment can be scheduled well in advance of switchover on 5 June,” Senator Conroy said.
“The Scheme is part of the Australian Government’s core commitment to provide digital TV access to each and every Australian household by the end of 2013.
“With digital TV already available in most areas of Australia there’s no reason to wait. Eligible households across Southern and Central NSW, the ACT and the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area can now opt in to the HAS right now to start enjoying the 16 free-to-air channels available on digital.”
For information about the Household Assistance Scheme visit the Digital Ready Website www.digitalready.gov.au or call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.
