Joel Fitzgibbon (Hunter, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture) Share this | Hansard source

I have been respectful to the other side in this discussion. I would expect them to be respectful to me. I have made the link between the discussion before the chamber and the importance of facilitating broader community discussion of these issues. There could be nothing of greater importance to facilitating that discussion than the role the ABC plays. Before I was rudely interrupted, I was saying that up to one-third of those who work at the ABC facility in Newcastle are being pulled in to the general manager's office for a discussion. Sadly, as I understand it, one-third of the staff in Newcastle will not have a job at the end of this day. I hope that is not accurate, but that is the very strong speculation. It makes it a very sad day for me. It makes it a very sad day for everyone living in the Hunter region.

Ms Hall interjecting—

I hear the member for Shortland agreeing with my point. But it is not just the Hunter region; it is filtering through our rural and regional communities right around this country. It is a very sad day and I appeal to the Prime Minister to rethink this issue. (Time expired)

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