Helen Coonan (NSW, Liberal Party, Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) Share this | Hansard source

The statement goes on to say:

In response to Senator Murray, I would not describe this transaction, if in fact it is approved under the FIRB rules—and, I note, relaxation of the FIRB rules appear to be unequivocally supported by the Labor Party—as a grab for media assets. As to speculating about what is going to happen in the United States or in any other jurisdiction around the world, I decline the invitation, thank you, Senator Murray. What I am about here is putting in place some media rules for this country that are going to benefit consumers, that are going to take us into the 21st century, that are going to give us an opportunity to take advantage of new technology and new opportunities and that are going to allow companies to invest so that consumers can get the benefit of what you can get in other parts of the world.

Far from considering this as some media grab, I urge you to have a look at the clarification provided by the company about what it intends to do. It is clearly about providing a quarantining of media assets and, in those circumstances, protecting the PBL shareholders.