Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

by leave—I would like to put on record that this reference was made by agreement with the government by the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Conroy, and with the crossbenches when last we sat. It was my understanding that the government had indicated not just its support but its full and unconditional support, the resourcing of that inquiry and a willingness to see it through and be open minded about the outcome, so I am extremely surprised and disturbed to hear Senator O’Brien stand up now and tell us that it is conditional on the opposition and the crossbenches having the numbers. That was certainly not the agreement that I believe we had reached with the minister late last session. If you wish to issue a clarifying statement at this time or down the track, I would greatly appreciate it.