Estimates over axing short-wave radio broadcasting in February 2017. The decision attracted criticism from cattle station owners, Indigenous ranger groups and fishermen, who argue it was done without community consultation and would deprive people in remote areas of vital emergency warnings, leading to Nick Xenophon introducing legislation to force ABC to reinstate short-wave radio service. In September 2017 the Nick Xenophon Team announced it had negotiated a review of the reach of Australian broadcasting services in the Asia Pacific region, including examining if short-wave technology should be used to be included in the Government's Media Reform Bill. In December 2019, ABC Radio Australia celebrated 80 years of international radio broadcasting. Transmission facilities In almost 80 years of terrestrial service, Radio Australia has utilised a wide range of transmission facilities for delivery of its programmes to target areas, both from within Australia and from established international broadcasting sites overseas. Shepparton, Vic (1941–2017) In 1941, following consultation between the British and Australian governments, a transmitter site in Shepparton, Victoria was selected, in part because of a flat landscape and soil conductivity. The site was completed in 1944 with one 50 kW and two 100 kW transmitters. The station was then formally named Radio Australia. Carnarvon, WA (1976–1996) In the 70's, test transmissions began from the 250 kW transmitter early in December 1975 and official test broadcasts began a couple of weeks later on December 20 1975, the second transmitter was the 100 kW Harris and this unit began test broadcasts on February 15 in 1976, third transmitter, rated at 300 kW and designated as VLM, was taken into regular service on May 6, 1984 and the station was finally closed on 31 July 1996. Cox Peninsula, Darwin, NT (1966–1997) A new transmitting facility was installed by the PMG's Department at Cox Peninsula near Darwin in the late 1960s, rebroadcasting programs emanating from Radio Australia studios in Melbourne. Equipment included three Collins Radio 250 kW HF transmitters and five log-periodic antennas directed at East Asia and South-east Asia. The antennas were largely demolished by Cyclone Tracy on 25 December 1974, and Radio Australia broadcasts from this locality were not reinstated (by then Telecom Australia) until about 1988. Bald Hills, Brisbane, Qld (1973–1976) In 1941, the PMGD acquired a site and then established transmission facilities at Bald Hills, then to the north of Brisbane, now a suburb of Brisbane. The site was principally intended