Nova Peris (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Sport, Senator Nash. Can the minister confirm that local women's sport broadcasts, including the Women's National Basketball League and women's league soccer, will be axed because the Prime Minister has broken his pre-election promise that there would be 'no cuts to the ABC'?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I think that, as has been very clearly outlined in this chamber over recent days, they are matters for the ABC. We have been very clear in how we are approaching this issue. We have said that we are going to make sure that this nation is run efficiently and effectively. This government is not going to apologise for doing that. It is a matter for the ABC how they deem to do their programming. How they choose to run their affairs is a matter for them.

Nova Peris (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Does the minister agree with Australian basketball legend Lauren Jackson that women's sport is a 'sacrificial lamb'? Why should women's sport be sacrificed because the Prime Minister has broken his pre-election promise that there would be no cuts to the ABC?

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You should talk to Mark Scott about that!

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my right!

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I do not agree with the senator's assertion; and I would suggest to those opposite that they raise these issues with the ABC. It is a matter for the ABC how they determine their programming. As the Leader of the Government in the Senate outlined earlier, there are a range of alternatives available to the ABC and to those in charge of programming. It is a matter for the ABC and this government will continue to govern appropriately for the Australian people.

Nova Peris (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Does the minister further agree with Lauren Jackson that the Liberal government does not really put sport—especially women's sport—ahead of anything else, and that what they are basically doing is short-changing it in every single sense?

Fiona Nash (NSW, National Party, Assistant Minister for Health) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, I do not agree, and I think that anybody out there in the community would recognise the commitment that this coalition government has to sport. You only have to look at the actions of the Minister for Health to understand that this government has a complete commitment to Australian sport and our sportsmen. So, Senator, I do not agree with your assertion. This government will continue to make the appropriate decisions needed to ensure the efficient running of the nation.