Amazing how this is very similar to Rothwells with the now famous WA Inc, the then Labor Govt providing the funds to "ensure ongoing viability and capability" for the floundering Company.

Has WA Premier Alan Carpenter even looked at the ACCESS 31's Financial History and Annual Reports?.

2003 - Access 31 went into Voluntary Administration due to massive debt and operational overun.

2004 - Financial Report states a LOSS of over $35,000.

2005 - Despite Grants for the WA Government and Lottery West of more than $1.8 million dollars, the facilities are still not completed for use for the community. The equipment that was purchased is not Broadcast Standard, eg. Studio Camera viewfinders are the reversing TVs used by vehicles to see obstructions in their rear, how can you train people on non broadcast standard areas as basic as camera technique when the specifications are not Industry Standard. No training is provided. Ridiculous hire rates for the use of equipment or facilities being close to full commercial professional rate. No community support from the management. Staff having their pay reduced by 50%, resulting a number of staff and some management resigning because of the pay issue. Despite recording in the Annual Report a profit of over $900,000.

2006 - Financial Report states a LOSS, where did the $900,000 go? No new updates or expenditure, and the community-based producers having to pay more for in order to have their program available to the community. Staff numbers reduced again due to lack of financial planning or structure. AGM delayed and delayed, to the members so as to include the "Business Case" to the state Govt. of $300,000 in the report submitted in Jan 30 2007.

The list goes on and the information is freely available, just have a look at the ASIC website, even the Access 31 Website which they advertise as "updated weekly" has out of date information and nothing that supports the community. Just click on the training link that has been that way since 2005.

Since its inception Access 31 has not proved they can financially support their own company in in the basic sense but have to continuously rely on Govt bail out year after year.

There are a number of surprising names on the board of directors whose own company's have been in serious financial difficulty, with current management not having any credibility or experience in the operation or conduct of a Television Station.

You have to ask yourself is this really a case of "The Blind leading the Blind".

If Access 31 cannot generate even the most basic operational revenue to self sustain, then there can be only 2 solutions.

1. Complete management and board restructure to ensure ongoing Financial Concerns of the Company. With greater "real" support provided to the community and an increase of "station awareness".

2. If basic revenue can not be maintained through sponsorship advertising then does this not mean that no one is really watching Access 31 anyway. So therefore why continue.

I am sure that there are many struggling businesses and company who would love the state Govt's monetary support to "ensure ongoing viability". However this does not happen.

What is truly outstanding is when the Liberal Govt were asked by Access 31 for funding they were rejected. The man responsible for that in the State Government at that time was Hendy Cowan, who now ironically is the Chairman of the Board of Channel 31 Community Educational Television LTD.