Senate debates Questions without Notice
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation
2:42 pm
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?
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Honourable Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Scott Ryan President
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
2:43 pm
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.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Mitch Fifield Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications
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.
Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation
2:44 pm
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
2:45 pm
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.
Deborah O'Neill NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Assistant Minister for Innovation
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
2:46 pm
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.