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

I acknowledge Senator Fifield is quite correct when he points out that an estimates committee examined these issues in some detail with Senator Brandis and two of the senior bureaucrats most relevant to this portfolio a couple of weeks ago in budget estimates. Guess who that leaves out? The entire arts community! They were not able to provide evidence on this extraordinary rip-off that Senator Brandis has perpetuated on arts funding. I, and Senator Collins on behalf of the Labor Party, would like to take more evidence than that provided by Senator Brandis. I look forward to the concurrence of the Senate in getting this inquiry afoot.