Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
2:00 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator McAllister. The ABC has been forced to remove from its website an online news story it now admits contained doctored audio involving an Australian soldier who the ABC had claimed was firing at unarmed civilians in Afghanistan. Inclusion of the doctored audio made it appear as if Australian Defence Force personnel had fired six shots instead of just one. The former Australian special forces soldier who is at the centre of these false claims, Heston Russell, has asked to meet with the ABC chairman, Kim Williams, to discuss this matter. Does the minister believe the ABC chair should meet with Mr Russell, and will she direct him to do so?
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
The government believes that the ABC is editorially independent, and the government believes that the ABC should continue to be so.
Sue Lines President
Senator Henderson, a first supplementary?
Opposition senators interjecting—
I have called Senator Henderson. Thank you.
Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
2:01 pm
Given the ABC has admitted the footage was doctored, has the minister asked the chairman of the ABC for an explanation? And I would remind Senator McAllister about section 8 of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act, which imposes very important obligations on the board to disseminate news and information impartially and accurately.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Hon. Senators:
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
I'll just let the interjections across the chamber answer the question, will I?
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order!
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
The minister is of course aware of the legislation which governs the ABC and all of the obligations that arise under that. I do not have the answer to the particular question you ask. I will seek advice and, if I have additional information, I can inform the chamber.
Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
2:02 pm
Will the minister condemn the ABC for this outrageous breach of journalistic ethics and its—
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations
What part of 'independence' don't you understand?
Sue Lines President
Order! Senator Cash and Minister Watt, order! Please continue, Senator Henderson.
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Stop mansplaining!
Sue Lines President
Senator McKenzie! I think we heard the first part of it, Senator Henderson. If the minister isn't clear, she'll seek clarification. Please continue.
Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
Will the minister condemn the ABC for this outrageous breach of journalistic ethics and its false allegations against Mr Russell—as found by the Federal Court—which completely misrepresent what occurred in Afghanistan during this incident in 2012?
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
2:03 pm
As I have already indicated, the ABC has editorial and operational independence. It is—
Sue Lines President
Order, Senator Ruston and Senator Cash! Minister, please continue.
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
It is for—
Government senators interjecting—
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
It is for the ABC to determine how the editing, which has been widely reported, occurred. I understand that a number of public comments have been made in relation to that. I will say this: this government supports the ABC and supports its editorial independence. We support the act. We support the operation of the ABC under the act.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Order! Minister McAllister, please resume your seat. Senator Henderson, no; I will come to you in a moment. I have called for order a number of times. I've called out a number of senators for their very rude, disrespectful and wilful interjections. I'm asking that you listen in silence. Senator Henderson?
Sarah Henderson Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education
A point of order on direct relevance—I asked if the minister will condemn the ABC for this outrageous breach of journalistic ethics.
Sue Lines President
Thank you, Senator Henderson. There is no point of order, and the minister is being directly relevant. Minister, please continue.
Honourable senators interjecting—
Order on both sides of the chamber. Minister.
Jenny McAllister NSW, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Emergency Management
As I've indicated, the minister is well aware of how the act operates. (Time expired)