ARN chief executive Ciaran Davis, Nine Radio managing director Tom Malone, NOVA Entertainment chief executive Peter Charlton and SCA chief executive John Kelly have called on the Senate Inquiry into the Communications Legislation Amendment (Prominence and Anti-siphoning) Bill 2023 to urgently include radio prominence for smart speakers in their recommendations.

In a joint statement radio industry bosses are also urging the Government to commence immediate consultation on radio prominence in cars.

"It is essential to both the radio industry and communities that regulations are introduced to ensure free, easy, and reliable access to local radio for all Australians - whether they are listening to smart speakers or in connected cars," the joint statement reads.

Radio groups also expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of smart speakers in Australian homes, suggesting that global tech companies are becoming gatekeepers of audio choices, potentially shutting out local radio. "Smart speakers are becoming more common in Australian homes, and we are concerned this is creating a situation where global tech companies are the gatekeepers of our audio choices, shutting out local radio."

The representatives also highlight the issue of new cars coming with connected dashboards featuring Google, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music, but with no guaranteed easy access to local radio. "Equally as concerning is that very soon all new cars will come with a connected dashboard, with Google, Amazon, Spotify, Apple Music - but there is no guarantee they will have easy access to local radio."

The statement emphasises the importance of radio for community safety and the sustainability of the Australian radio industry. "This is a matter of both community safety and the sustainability of the Australian radio industry."

The representatives are calling on the government to act now to ensure radio is not left behind, so they can continue to provide an essential service to communities across Australia. "We are calling on the government to act now to ensure radio is not left behind, so we can continue to provide an essential service to communities across Australia."