Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Communications, Senator Fifield. In his first speech to the Senate, Assistant Minister McGrath, the former deputy federal director of the Liberal Party, said, 'The ABC should be sold.' Does the minister agree with Assistant Minister McGrath?

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! I'll call the minister when there's order in the chamber. On my right and left—order!

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I indicated to colleagues yesterday, the government is very clearly and absolutely of the view that the ABC will always remain in government hands.

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order on my left! Senator Fifield.

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I have been saying, as recently as a doorstop an hour or two ago, the ABC is one of the important underpinnings of media diversity in Australia. The ABC also represents a significant Commonwealth contribution to civic journalism in this country. The government absolutely supports the important work of the ABC.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a supplementary question.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In 2013, Senator Paterson celebrated a Victorian Liberal Party State Council meeting where 'privatisation of the ABC was overwhelmingly passed'. Isn't it clear that the Liberal Party's ambition to privatise the ABC is long-held?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The organisational party has responsibility for the selection of candidates. The parliamentary party has sole responsibility for the determination of policy. Our policy is clear and is not changing.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator O'Neill, a final supplementary question.

Deborah O'Neill (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

When asked on Monday whether privatising the ABC was a legitimate debate within the government, Senator Reynolds said, 'Absolutely.' Does the minister agree with Senator Reynolds?

Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Reynolds was making the observation that I just made—that the organisational party has responsibility for selection of parliamentary candidates and the parliamentary party has responsibility for policy.