Federal Member for Greenway NSW, Ms Michelle Rowland MP and the President of the Maltese Welfare Association of NSW, Mr Lawrence Dimech OAM this week met with Prime Minister Julia Gillard to discuss SBS’s significant cuts to Maltese programming during her visit to Western Sydney.
“It was great to have the Prime Minister listen to the concerns of the Maltese community and have Mr Dimech directly tell her about SBS’s cuts to Maltese programming,” Ms Rowland said. “I have written directly to the Prime Minister on this matter because I know it is of extreme important to the Maltese community I represent.”
In its revised schedule effective from next month, SBS Radio recently cut Maltese language programs from nine hours to two hours per week.
“I completely disagree with SBS’s cuts to Maltese programming and I am taking it up with the Prime Minister,” Ms Rowland said. “I represent a large Maltese community who rely on the services SBS provide and it is extremely important for our older community members to be able to stay informed and be engaged.”
Ms Rowland said she will await a response from the Prime Minister and thanked her for meeting with Mr Dimech to discuss such an important issue.
