Chris Evans (WA, Australian Labor Party, Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I have a letter advising of Senator Conroy’s absence from question time from 16 to 19 November inclusive, due to his attendance at an internet governance forum. I advise that Senator Ludwig is taking his responsibilities at question time in relation to broadband, communications and the digital economy, and infrastructure, transport, regional development and local government. Senator Sherry will answer questions in relation to Senator Conroy’s responsibilities in representing the finance and deregulation portfolio.

I seek leave to have the document incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The document read as follows—

I am writing to advise you that Senator Stephen Conroy, Deputy Leader of the Senate and Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy will be absent from Senate Question Time on November 16-19, 2009 due to his attendance at Internet Governance Forum in Egypt.

The Internet Governance Forum (IGF) was a key outcome of the World Summit on the Information Society and was established by the United Nations as a multi-stakeholder forum on Internet-related public policy issues. Australia has had a major role in the establishment of the internet and the global development of internet governance.

The IGF will focus on critical issues including expanding global access to the internet, security, child protection and growth of the digital economy. Bilateral discussions are also being arranged with the European Union Commissioner for the Information Society and Media, the CEO of Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) and several other key stakeholders in internet development. These discussions will focus on issues including the evolution of ICANN and the future of the ICF.

Senator Conroy's participation will provide opportunities to promote Australia's re-election to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) council next year as well as promoting our work on cyber-safety initiatives and approaches to online security.

His Ministerial and representational responsibilities will be undertaken in the following manner:

Joseph Ludwig

Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government

Nick Sherry

Finance and Deregulation

Yours sincerely

CHRIS EVANS

13/11/2009