Simon Birmingham (SA, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for the Murray Darling Basin) Share this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. I refer the minister to the provisions of the Public Interest Media Advocate Bill 2013 and promises made by both the Prime Minister and the minister yesterday that the opposition would be consulted on the appointment of the Public Interest Media Advocate, as well as promises made repeatedly by the minister that he does not believe that a politician or a former politician would hold the role. Why are such requirements or prohibitions not included in the bill?