ABC Radio Australia

Radio, Print, and Online ABC & SBS Radio
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ABC Radio Australia expands FM transmission service in Lorengau, Papua New Guinea

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Residents of Lorengau in Papua New Guinea (PNG) can now tune into ABC Radio Australia on 101.9FM and enjoy its full suite of news, sports, music, culture and health programming.

The launch of the new transmission site in Manus Province, in Papua New Guinea’s northern region, marks a new milestone for ABC Radio Australia and its ongoing FM footprint expansion.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are delighted to be reaching new audiences in Lorengau and to continue to deliver on our commitment to expand ABC Radio Australia’s transmission footprint. We invite listeners in and around Lorengau to explore the growing offering of programs available every day, connecting its residents with the latest in regional news, conversations and music.”

Manager of Audio Output and Strategy Justine Kelly who oversees the ABC Radio Australia network said: “It has been a tremendous year at ABC Radio Australia with new presenters, the growth of new bespoke programming that includes even more topics of interest from across the region, and the expansion of our transmission network reaching new audiences. We’re thrilled that Lorengau is now on-air and broadcasting the incredible stories, voices and music of ABC Radio Australia.”

ABC Radio Australia has a long-standing commitment to Papua New Guinea and its diverse regions and audiences, and the new Lorengau service comes in addition to existing services in locations including Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Mount Hagen, Arawa (Bougainville) and Kokopo.

WAYS TO LISTEN:

There are multiple ways to listen to ABC Radio Australia – live via internet streaming or in your area through 24-hour FM stations, or catch up with full episodes on ABC Pacific online.

ABC Radio Australia is available in Papua New Guinea on 101.9FM in Port Moresby, Lae, Goroka, Mount Hagen, Arawa (Bougainville), Kokopo and Lorengau.

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85 Years of ABC International

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This month, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) celebrates 85 years as Australia’s trusted international voice.

On 20 December 1939, just after the start of WWII, Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies launched ABC Radio Australia, then called Australian Calling, to counter disinformation and propaganda from enemy forces. Since then, ABC International has undergone many changes. Today, it is engaging audiences in Asia and the Pacific and supporting media across the region through the work of two teams – ABC International Services and ABC International Development.

ABC Radio Australia and international television service ABC Australia reach nearly 11 million people each month and digital platforms ABC Pacific and ABC Asia are also experiencing rapid growth. Meanwhile, media capacity building activities, funded by the Australian Government through DFAT and managed by ABC International Development, continue to expand, promoting public interest journalism in the Asia Pacific.

As part of the birthday celebrations, ABC International has launched an interactive storytelling platform, the Indo-Pacific Media Map, which portrays the ABC’s activities, audiences and impact across the region.

This week, international audiences will also enjoy special birthday content on ABC Pacific, ABC Asia and ABC Radio Australia, including ABC Radio Australia Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow interviewing iconic former ABC Radio Australia identities and unearthing some of the biggest moments from the past 85 years of programming and an in-depth digital feature delving into ABC International’s fascinating past.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “I am incredibly proud of ABC International’s legacy as the trusted and independent Australian voice for 85 years in the Asia Pacific region. As we take this moment to reflect on our journey, we also look to the future as we continue to grow our international audiences and deepen our connections, championing regional storytelling and a robust and independent media landscape.”

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ABC launches ABC Radio Australia FM service in the Cook Islands

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For the first time in a decade, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s international radio service – ABC Radio Australia – has returned to the island of Rarotonga on 91.5FM.

The establishment of the new FM transmission service marks the latest milestone in the continued expansion of ABC Radio Australia’s broadcast footprint, which has nearly doubled in the past two years.

ABC Radio Australia commemorated the historic new service in Rarotonga with assistance from the Australian High Commission in the Cook Islands, hosting a series of events including an official launch for Rarotonga’s cultural, political and business leaders and a public meet and greet with ABC Radio Australia’s Nesian Footy presenter Tinirau Arona, who has Cook Islander heritage and travelled to Rarotonga for the launch.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are thrilled to have ABC Radio Australia back on-air in Rarotonga, as part of our ongoing commitment to expand our FM transmission footprint. This year has been a tremendous period of growth for ABC Radio Australia, with the addition of nine new transmission locations across the Indo-Pacific region and we’re looking forward to welcoming additional locations in the coming months.”

Manager of Audio Output and Strategy Justine Kelly, who manages the ABC Radio Australia network, said: “After almost a decade off-air, we warmly welcome communities across Rarotonga to return to the ABC Radio Australia family. We invite new listeners to meet our incredible lineup of programs and presenters who bring high-quality content to our audiences every day and we look forward to connecting Rarotonga and the Cook Islands with stories from right across the Pacific.”

ABC Radio Australia will continue to expand to more locations across the Pacific region in coming months, with plans to launch its FM service in Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Buka, in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

WAYS TO LISTEN:

If you’re in Rarotonga, the Cook Islands, listen to ABC Radio Australia on 91.5FM.

In the Pa Enua, and elsewhere in the Pacific, there are multiple ways to listen to ABC Radio Australia – live via internet streaming or in your area through 2

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such a shame the shortwave service has been stopped. I did a tune of the shortwave bands yesterday and all i got was Radio China and a sole RNZ

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AGree - Radio Australia was such a good station even for locals to listen to. The Shepparton signals were very strong a well.

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was fantsastic when i used to drive Brisbane to Armidale to see my partner.

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ABC Radio Australia is now on-air in the Republic of Kiribati

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation’s international radio service, ABC Radio Australia is now available on 92.3FM for residents across the Tarawa atoll in the central Pacific island nation.

The launch in Tarawa, Kiribati marks the return of the service after a decade off air and is the latest milestone for ABC Radio Australia in reaching new audiences across the Pacific. The full radio service offers listeners an extensive schedule of bespoke programming covering the latest in news, music, sports, culture, health, science and faith.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “We are delighted to be starting the year with the launch of our tenth new ABC Radio Australia service in collaboration with BPA. This latest development signifies not only the network’s incredible growth in both its transmission expansion across the Pacific region but is also reflected in the growing suite of Pacific-focused content that is now accessible to audiences across Tarawa.”

ABC Radio Australia’s FM transmission service is available across Nauru, Palau, Pohnpei (Federated States of Micronesia), Kokopo and Lorengau (Papua New Guinea), Gizo and Auki (Solomon Islands), Rarotonga (the Cook Islands), with plans for FM services to be made available in 2025 in the Marshall Islands and Buka in the Autonomous Region of Bougainville in Papua New Guinea.

WAYS TO LISTEN:

If you’re in Tarawa, Kiribati, tune into to ABC Radio Australia on 92.3FM.

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ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break returns in 2025

ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break, the Pacific’s biggest music competition, is back for 2025.

From Friday 27 June 2025, the search begins to discover the Pacific and Timor Leste’s best original artist. The winner will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to perform at WOMADelaide, Australia’s biggest international music, arts and dance festival.

This year, Pacific Break launches for the first time in Samoa with a free, star-studded concert at iconic Friendship Park in downtown Apia. On the line-up are Pacific music’s biggest names including Pacific Break past winners Chris Rohoimae (2024, Solomon Islands), Ju Ben (2023, Fiji) and Danielle (2022, Papua New Guinea) and Samoan superstars, country music icon Mr Cowboy and soulful vocal queen Tofaga Meke.

Pacific Break’s 2025 judges have also been announced, with Australian-based Fijian artist and label head Joji Malani joining returning judges PNG-born Australian neo soul diva Ngaiire, WOMADelaide Associate Director Annette Tripodi, and ABC Radio Australia music presenters, Hau Lātūkefu (In The Fale) and Sose Fuamoli (Sista Sounds and On The Record).

According to Malani, "Pacific Break has played an important role in showcasing talent from across the Pacific in a way no other competition has done before. There is a unique sophistication within our cultures—deeply rooted yet universally relatable—and Pacific Break provides a platform to share that with the world. I’m humbled to contribute, even in a small way, to this important movement.”

Fuamoli said: “It is exciting to see the return of Pacific Break for 2025! It is such a special platform for a diverse range of artists from throughout the region. In previous years we have seen how both winners and finalists have benefited from the radio, television and social support of the competition and I look forward to meeting this year’s class of nominees and seeing who takes out the top honour for 2025.”

Lātūkefu said: “The talent pool in our neck of the woods is so deep. It always has been. We just need the opportunities for our musicians’ talent to be seen and to be heard. That’s why it’s so important for something like Pacific Break to exist so the rest of our region and the world can hear the beauty that we hear. I’m super excited for this year to kick off!”

Find out more about the Pacific music industry leaders who will be deciding Pacific Break’s 2025 winner and what they are looking for here.

PACIFIC BREAK 2025 – THE LAUNCH CONCERT

Celebrate the return of Pacific Break with a free, all-ages launch concert at Friendship Park, Apia, Samoa on Friday 27 June. Come along from 5pm West Samoa Time (WST) with performances from 6pm to 9pm.

Click here for more event details.

PACIFIC BREAK – THE COMPETITION

Competition entries open at 9am AEST on Friday 27 June 2025 and will be open until 11:59pm AEST on Monday 25 August 2025.

For more information about Pacific Break visit www.abc.net.au/pacificbreak

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Former Late Night Live host Phillip Adams has been awarded an Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in the Kings Birthday Honours for “For eminent service to broadcast media, to journalism, to the arts, to cultural leadership, and to the community”

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ABC Radio Australia’s Marshall Islands launch completes historic Pacific expansion

ABC Radio Australia’s ambitious two-year FM expansion project in the Pacific has concluded with the recent launch in the Marshall Islands of a new FM transmitter. Residents of Majuro atoll are the latest listeners to join the network, which has doubled and now extends to 25 locations across the region.

The expansion project was funded by the Australian Federal Government’s Indo Pacific Broadcasting Strategy and began in 2023, when ABC Radio Australia established an FM service in Gizo, Solomon Islands. Since then, the ABC has partnered with broadcasters and transmission providers across the region, to develop and launch services in Federated States of Micronesia (Pohnpei), Palau (Koror), Nauru, Kiribati (Tarawa), Tuvalu (Funafuti), Cook Islands (Rarotonga), Auki in the Solomon Islands and three additional Papua New Guinea locations, in East New Britain (Kokopo), Manus Island (Lorengau) and the Autonomous Region of Bougainville (Buka).

Alongside its investment in broadcast and delivery infrastructure, ABC Radio Australia has also tripled its Pacific content offering, launching new news, music, sport and cultural programming to better entertain and inform its growing audiences.

ABC Radio Australia celebrated the milestone by co-hosting an event with the Australian Ambassador to the Marshall Islands, Paul Wilson, at his residence in Majuro. The event was attended by representatives of the Marshall Islands Government.

ABC International Head Claire M. Gorman said: “The completion of the ABC Radio Australia FM transmission expansion project has been a landmark success – allowing the network to significantly grow its reach and listenership across the Pacific. In the 85 years since ABC Radio Australia first broadcast across the region, the network has undergone significant changes with this latest expansion in transmission sites. This represents the next chapter for ABC Radio Australia, providing new audiences with our slate of trusted news and Pacific-focused radio programming.”

ABC Radio Australia Manager Justine Kelly said: “Across the past two years, our ABC Radio Australia teams have been working incredibly hard to deliver this remarkable project. We are proud to be available across even more locations throughout the Pacific as our talented team of presenters and comprehensive suite of shows, share the incredible stories and voices from across the region. We deliver the latest in breaking news, sports coverage, new music and conversations about culture, the environment, health, faith and science.”

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Pacific Break 2025 launches for first time in Samoa!

Entries are open for the Pacific’s biggest music competition, ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break which launched in Samoa last weekend with a huge, live concert at Friendship Park, Apia.

Thousands of fans enjoyed performances from local Samoan favourites Mr Cowboy and Tofaga Meke as well as Pacific Break past winners Chris Kamu’ana Rohoimae (Solomon Islands), JuBen (Fiji) and Danielle (Papua New Guinea). Samoan hip hop icon Mr Tee also made a surprise appearance, getting the crowds jumping early in the night.

On the main stage, ABC Radio Australia’s Nesia Daily presenters Jacob McQuire and Michael Chow joined forces to MC with homegrown Samoan hero Young Sefa to keep the crowd laughing through the night.

The concert was produced in partnership with the Samoa Tourism Authority and recorded for broadcast on ABC Radio Australia and ABC Australia television.

ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN FOR PACIFIC BREAK 2025

The launch concert in Apia kicks off a two-month search to uncover the Pacific and Timor-Leste’s best original talent. Entries are now open until midnight Monday 25 August 2025.

Pacific Break’s top prize is an all-expenses-paid trip to perform in 2026 at WOMADelaide – Australia’s largest international music, arts, and dance festival. The winning artist or group will be revealed on ABC Radio Australia’s daily morning program Nesia Daily on Wednesday 16 October 2025.

The judging panel for this year sees PNG-born Australian musician Ngaiire rejoin the team with ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu ( In The Fale) and Sose Fuamoli (Sista Sounds and On The Record), WOMADelaide Associate director Annette Tripodi, along with new judge Joji Malani, Fijian-born musician and solo artist of Gang of Youths fame.

For more information about Pacific Break 2025 judging panel, click here.

HOW TO ENTER

Submit your original track(s) in one of three ways;

  1. 1.Complete the Online Entry Form, available here.
  2. 2.Get in touch with our Pacific Break team via WhatsApp (+61 447 310 986) and send through your songs and info.
  3. 3.Send an email with all your details to pacificbreak@abc.net.au, including your music files as an attachment.

For more information about Pacific Break, including competition details and terms and conditions, visit www.abc.net.au/pacificbreak

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ABC Radio Australia announces Pacific Break 2025 finalists

ABC Radio Australia has announced the Pacific Break 2025 finalists, spotlighting some of the Pacific’s best talent and featuring outstanding artists from Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

This year’s competition saw artists from 18 Pacific countries enter hundreds of original tracks, representing the Pacific’s rich and diverse musical landscape.

The Pacific Break 2025 finalists are (in alphabetical order):

  • Amoray x Ozlam (Solomon Islands)
  • Bibao (Solomon Islands)
  • Darkaside (Papua New Guinea)
  • Francisco Bhagwan & Kali Tui (Fiji)
  • Jay Sint (Papua New Guinea)
  • JustEscape95 (Samoa)
  • Kazibuda (Papua New Guinea)
  • Mantis (Vanuatu)
  • Mereani Masani (Papua New Guinea)
  • Raylinda (Papua New Guinea)

Find out more about the 2025 Pacific Break finalists by listening to Nesia Daily on ABC Radio Australia over the coming weeks or read about them on ABC Pacific.

WINNER ANNOUNCEMENT

Pacific Break’s 2025 winner will be announced at 9:00am AEDT on Thursday 16 October on ABC Radio Australia’s Nesia Daily.

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Vanuatu hip hop artist Mantis crowned Pacific Break’s 2025 winner

Mantis wears sunglasses, standing in front a building surrounded by trees

Photo provided by: JP Visuals

Ni-Vanuatu rapper Mantis (Ethan-Xavier Hakwa) has been crowned the winner of ABC Radio Australia’s Pacific Break 2025 with his powerful track Weatherman.

Listen to Weatherman here.

With a fierce confidence in his delivery, flow and lyricism, Mantis’ Weatherman immediately caught the attention of the Pacific Break judges, beating hundreds of original songs entered from18 Pacific nations in this year’s competition.

Rapping in Bislama, French and English, Mantis drew inspiration from Kendrick Lamar and U.S. West Coast hip-hop beats in crafting his winning song, produced by Vanuatu’s Vanboii and Wilz. Defining himself as the Weatherman, Mantis speaks to the extreme weather conditions faced in Vanuatu and the Pacific.

Born and raised in Vanuatu, with Tongan and Papua New Guinean (PNG) heritage, Mantis first began making music in 2014 with rap group Confliction and released his first album Personal Therapy after moving to New Zealand to study at university.

Since returning to Vanuatu in 2022, Mantis has continued his artistry and passion for music, having created a music production business Kele Productions, in collaboration with Confliction rap group members.

It’s the second time a ni-Vanuatu artist has taken out the coveted Pacific Break title, since reggae group 26 Roots from the island of Santo became the inaugural winners in 2008 with their song Broken Promises.

After hearing the news via a phone call from Nesia Daily hosts Michael Chow and Jacob McQuire, Mantis was overcome with emotion.

Watch the moment Mantis found out he was the winner here.

Mantis said, “I knew that this song was special, and I see why now. I’m super grateful for my team. When we started doing this music stuff, it was really underground and like, we’re still kind of underground now, but even though we struggle we still pursue this because it’s our passion.”

Mantis continued, “For hip-hop and rap artists from Vanuatu, I hope that this will be a stepping stone in developing our music scene here and the industry.”

Pacific Break’s 2025 judging panel included PNG-born Australian musician Ngaiire, Australian-based Fijian artist and label head Joji Malani, ABC Radio Australia music presenters Hau Lātūkefu ( In The Fale) and Sosefina Fuamoli (Sista Sounds and On The Record), and WOMADelaide Associate Director Annette Tripodi.

Ngaiire said: “"When I came across Mantis’ entry I couldn’t stop listening and with every listen I couldn’t stop smiling. This is the type of stuff that excites me about Pacific music. He’s singing about real life Pasifika situations in a modern context and doing it in three languages that represent the hand marks of history etched on the region.”

Joji Malani said: “Mantis is an energetic and commanding MC with a natural talent that’s immediately striking. This track shows an intelligence and sophistication often overlooked or dismissed by international audiences when it comes to music from the region. The influences from notable hip-hop legends are evident, but Mantis has interpreted them in a way that honours his roots and culture while remaining relatable to every corner of the earth.”

Sose Fuamoli said: “This year’s Pacific Break proved once again just how vibrant and strong our current generation of artists are throughout the region. Mantis’ Weatherman is a striking track that highlights his dynamism and pure skills as a lyricist and performer. Speaking to the broader talent coming out of Vanuatu, Mantis is a champion of ni-Vanuatu storytelling, and I can’t wait to see him bring his style and rhythm to Adelaide in March.”

Mantis will travel to Australia in March 2026 to perform at WOMADelaide – Australia’s largest international festival of music, arts and dance.

Find out more about Pacific Break, including this year’s winner and finalists at ABC Pacific online.

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ABC International has announced an exciting slate of sports-focused programming for 2026, placing sport at the heart of its audience growth strategy for Asia and the Pacific:

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Radio australia is now avalable in DAB across australia. I was listening on my drive home yesterday and it was weird listening without the static hiss of the old shortwave days.

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Is it still on shortwave or did we piss it off years ago?

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Turned off years ago. Bad decision in my opinion

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ABC Radio Australia launches on DAB+, connecting communities across the Pacific and Australia

ABC Radio Australia is now available on DAB+ digital radio in Australia, making it easier than ever for Pacific communities to connect with trusted news, music, sport and culture from home.

Listeners in Australian capital cities, the Gold Coast and Launceston can tune in to ABC Radio Australia on DAB+, bringing the ABC’s international Pacific and Timor-Leste broadcast service to digital radio for the first time in Australia.

ABC Radio Australia offers 24-hour programming including Pacific-focused news and current affairs, music, sport and cultural storytelling. The service has long been available internationally, and via the ABC Pacific website and ABC listen app, and its arrival on DAB+ expands access for audiences across Australia.

The service showcases Pacific voices and perspectives, with content reflecting life, culture and conversations from countries including Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Vanuatu and the Northern Pacific, alongside stories about Pacific communities living in Australia.

ABC Director Audio Ben Latimer said the launch was about meeting audiences where they are and deepening connections with Pacific communities. “ABC Radio Australia plays a vital role in reflecting Pacific voices and experiences and connecting communities across our region.

“Making the service available on DAB+ expands access even further, helping more people engage with trusted Pacific news, culture and storytelling - in the car, at home, and in everyday life.”

Head of ABC International Claire Gorman said, “With support from the Australian government, ABC Radio Australia has doubled its broadcast footprint in the Pacific in recent years, and tripled its unique content, bringing the best news, sport, music and culture to Pacific audiences.

“It is only fitting that this is now easily available to Australian audiences on DAB+, so they can learn and engage more with the diverse and important Pacific region.”

Listeners can find ABC Radio Australia by scanning for DAB+ stations on their digital radio, alongside other ABC networks DAB+ networks ABC Jazz, ABC Country, Double J, ABC Sport, triple j Unearthed and ABC Kids listen.

Information about DAB+ including availability and tuning instructions can be found on the ABC’s Help page.

ABC Radio Australia is also available on ABC listen.

Digital Radio - Technical
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Radio Australia is now available in many South Pacific nations on FM plus satellite and on-line.

While shortwave will be missed by some (especially in outback Australia) it is a legacy broadcast medium these days.

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Doesn’t really matter - international broadcasting has a different set of metrics on what’s important or not https://radioinfo.com.au/news/china-radio-international-takes-over-radio-australias-old-shortwave-frequencies-pacific/