Today on Perth community radio station RTR FM, the Australian Greens launched a $27million package to support our independent and diverse community media sector.

"Media diversity is vital to the health of our democracy and in this country media diversity is in retreat and community broadcasting provides a vital voice for local people and issues," said Senator Scott Ludlam.

The long running campaign for the future of digital community radio was finally given its due, securing the Federal funds needed to keep the vital service on the air in the nation's capitals.

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam congratulated the community broadcasting sector for its tireless advocacy.

"This is a much deserved win for the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia, the thousands of volunteers who keep our radio stations on the air, and all of their listeners," said Senator Ludlam.

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam welcomed Budget boosts for public broadcasters ABC and the SBS while condemning the Government's failure to support community radio.

"The Government is refusing to fund the Digital Radio Program (DRP) which means some community broadcasters face closure. It's a relatively tiny amount of money: $1.4 million to keep all our community broadcasters on the air.

CHRISTINE MILNE: We're on the cusp of securing media reform in Australia. This is something that the Greens have been campaigning for, working for, for a long time, negotiating in good faith. I'm pleased to say that we have reached an agreement with the government on two major areas of concern.

Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam. 17 March 2013.

The Greens will not be bullied by big media interests or constrained by arbitrary timelines on Labor's media reform proposals, communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said today.

"We need to focus on getting it right - regardless of ultimatums from the Minister and hysteria from certain media proprietors. Our overriding objective is to protect media diversity in Australia."

Senator LUDLAM (Western Australia) (16:17): I move:

That the Senate-

(a) notes that:

(i) Australia's community broadcasters are a vital part of our media landscape and provide radio services that include specialist music, Indigenous media, multicultural and ethnic language programs, religious, educational and youth services, print disability reading services, and community access programs,

The Greens welcomed today's announcement of a Commonwealth investment of $2.4 million over four years to maintain the Australian Music Radio Airplay Project.

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said supporters of local music and community broadcasting had campaigned for many months for the reinstatement of the funding.

The Australian Greens will call on the Federal Government to fund community broadcasters' digital radio services in Parliament today, marking the national day of action for community radio.

Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam and Greens Deputy Leader Adam Bandt will move motions in the Senate and the House recognising the great contribution made to Australian civil society by community broadcasters and calling on the Government to commit to adequate support for the sector.

"Today's remarkable ultimatum on media reform by the Communications Minister laid out key elements of the package that have been speculated on for months," Australian Greens communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam said.

"On the basis of the Minister's ‘take it or leave it' approach, the Greens will not be declaring a position until we have actually seen the bills.