Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I will speak briefly. I thought we might hear from the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy or Senator Birmingham, but I indicate briefly that the Australian Greens will not be supporting this amendment—although it is line ball. Senator Xenophon has outlined that it requires the publication of a register of access agreements once commercially sensitive information has been redacted. We understand—but perhaps the minister can tell us from his own mouth—that the government will be opposing it in that it would reduce room for flexible negotiations by Telstra with access seekers. We just were not sure why, in a world of access determinations, we would need to have all access agreements published in this way. The ACCC will be laying down the rules of the game. It is not necessary, we do not believe, to create this register. If Senator Xenophon or Senator Birmingham have some compelling arguments for it, then we would consider it. We will not be supporting this amendment.