John Murphy (Lowe, Australian Labor Party, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Opposition) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

David Crowe reports in today’s Australian Financial Review in an article entitled ‘Media bills on fast track to approval’ that Senator Helen Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, wants to allow companies the right to own radio, print and TV media as long as there are at least five media operators in mainland state capitals and four in other areas. I ask this House and the Prime Minister: how can we allow such massive concentration of media ownership in Australia? The public interest must strike back. It is just appalling that Australia’s two largest media companies could be allowed to own television stations, radio stations and newspapers in the one market when they have a stranglehold on the internet, and they have a monopoly on pay TV. Senator Coonan should be flogged, and so should the government.

David Hawker (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! It being 2 pm, in accordance with standing order 43 the time for members’ statements has concluded.