Senate debates Committees
Finance and Public Administration References Committee; Reference
Penny Wong SA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
3:36 pm
I, and also on behalf of Senator O'Neill, move:
That the following matter be referred to the Finance and Public Administration References Committee for inquiry and report by 29 March 2019:
Government interference in the independence and integrity of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), with particular reference to:
(a) the operation of Parts II, III and IIIA of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act 1983, in relation to:
(i) the duties of the Board and Managing Director, and
(ii) appointments, terminations and resignations of persons under these parts;
(b) performance of the ABC Board under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, in relation to general duties of officials;
(c) implications of political influence for governance at the ABC, including via:
(i) board appointments,
(ii) funding decisions,
(iii) policy and legislative proposals,
(iv) reviews and inquiries, and
(v) content complaints, queries and requests;
(d) safeguarding and promoting the independence and integrity of the ABC; and
(e) any related matters.
Question agreed to.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Anne Ruston SA, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for International Development and the Pacific
The government does not support this motion. If it is the will of the chamber to have an inquiry, the appropriate forum would be the Senate Environment and Communications References Committee.
Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Sarah Hanson-Young SA, Australian Greens
We have before us today two separate motions establishing inquiries into what has gone on in the ABC and political interference. The Greens believe the more appropriate committee for this to go to would be the committee that usually deals with these issues, which of course is the Environment and Communications References Committee, so we won't be supporting this motion.
Scott Ryan President
The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 3 be agreed to.