This year marks the 50th anniversary of the introduction of quotas for Australian programs on television. The 1961 quotas gave practical effect to a legislated general obligation of stations to employ 'Australians, as far as is possible, in the production and presentation of programs' (Broadcasting and Television Act 1942, S 114 (1)) which had been in place since 1956. The quotas required all commercial stations to broadcast at least one hour of Australian programs per week during prime time (defined as 7:30 pm_9:30 pm). In addition stations that had been established for more than three years were required to broadcast Australian programs for more than 40 per cent of their total transmission time. The initially modest requirements were increased on several subsequent occasions. In 1967, for example, the prime time quota was increased to 12 hours for each 28 days (rising to 18 hours in 1969) with an added condition that at least two hours were to be drama. In 1972, the prime-time (redefined as 6:00 pm_10:00 pm) drama quota was increased to 6 hours per 28 days; the overall transmission quota was increased to 50 per cent, and a children's program quota of 4 hours per 28 days was introduced. The system was overhauled in 1973 and again in the early 1990s. After many modifications over the past two decades, the current system has become a highly detailed regulatory standard.