Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

I thank my fellow Collingwood supporter for that question. I will have to refer Senator Fielding to our president for his suggestion that our team could end up 15th or 16th in the foreseeable future. His membership rights may be revoked for that suggestion, but on his behalf I will plead with our president not to do that!

The negotiations that are taking place at the moment are complex. They involve three different parties: the rights holders in the AFL, the NRL and other sporting associations; the free-to-air networks; and the pay television sector. But let me be clear about this: those opposite would roll over as fast as they could to the News Ltd organisation—that is their position—but we are intent on ensuring those blockbuster games continue to remain on free-to-air television.

There is currently a formula of sorts that is applied by the AFL. It is a formula that ensures that all teams get some coverage on a Friday night, irrespective of their position on the ladder.