Yet, this independence has won us the respect of dozens of partner stations who still broadcast our material, some of them in spite of domestic political pressure. Just three years ago, there were 18 partner stations rebroadcasting Radio Australia programs in 12 countries of the Asia Pacific. Today, there are 110 partner stations in 25 countries. Some of you can imagine just how much patience, how much tact, how much commitment is needed to bring about such growth. Australia Today who we are, how we live, how we operate as a vibrant multicultural society and modern trading nation.
Rebroadcast agreements are important, but our own transmission arrangements are vital.
The Government s announcement, last year, of additional transmission funding for Radio Australia in Asia is a clear recognition that Radio Australia has a long term strategic role in Asia and the Pacific. This additional funding is enabling us to build on Radio Australia s outstanding achievements of the past few years. Our interaction with our neighbours cannot be limited to political and commercial elites alone. In fast changing and more educated societies of Asia and the Pacific, there is an increasing need to reach and engage broader communities. From transmitters in Singapore and Taiwan, listeners in Cambodia and Vietnam can now listen to Radio Australia in their languages for one hour every day.