Doug Cameron (NSW, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

a clear view on the news, unbiased, not what Rupert Murdoch wants you to hear, not what Kerry Stokes wants you to hear, but exactly to report on the news and report on current affairs issues. You just have to watch Senator Macdonald, every time you talk about the ABC—I have sat through many, many estimates committees where Senator Macdonald, in his usual manner, is coming after the ABC on programs that they have run, on various issues. It all has to do with Senator Macdonald's extreme right-wing agenda.

So, I reckon this is an issue we have to be very careful about. We need to make sure we know what we are talking about in relation to the ABC deal that has been put in place. I again draw your attention to the fact that we have come here tonight and deals have been signed off in the back rooms and are being presented here as a fait accompli. Well, I have to say, I do not think the deals have been very good. I think they have been deals that the coalition must be rubbing their hands over, because no pressure has been put on the coalition to actually deliver on water. And I go back again to what Peter Hartcher said—that all that has been achieved is referral to the sinkhole of reform, and that is COAG. And there will be some report that could be done at estimates anyway. None of the issues could not have been dealt with by estimates.

Labor is very proud of the ABC and how the ABC has represented the news and current affairs and issues of public importance to the country and the community over many, many years. I do not want to end up in the same position as some other countries where you do not have a strong national broadcaster because the national broadcaster is intimidated by right-wing extreme views coming out of a government with no leader, a rudderless government where the extremists have got control and where the former Prime Minister, Mr Tony Abbott, is setting the agenda. Day in and day out, month in and month out, he is out there actually determining what has got to be done, where it should be done, how it should be done and when it should be done.