Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. It refers to the appointment of Dr Matthew Ricketson to a role in the so-called independent media inquiry into newspapers, online publications and the operation of the Australian Press Council. I ask the minister: did Senator Bob Brown or any representative of the Australian Greens suggest or lobby for Dr Ricketson's appointment to either you, minister, your office or any member of your department?

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

Perhaps I could just clarify the question. You are asking about Dr Ricketson, correct? Then the answer is no.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mr President, I ask a supplementary question.

Honourable Senators:

Honourable senators interjecting—

John Hogg (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order! One moment, Senator Macdonald. On both sides, Senator Macdonald is entitled to be heard.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I thank the minister very much for that very concise and clear answer, which we are particularly interested in. What disclosures and assurances have you sought from Dr Ricketson about the extent of the contact between him and the Australian Greens, either prior to his appointment to the media inquiry or subsequent to it?

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

I did see reference to this conspiracy theory, being run by Mr Turnbull, that a group of academics and journalists wrote to Senator Brown with some policy issues. I was a little surprised, because—and I will let you in on a secret—he wrote to me as well. It is my understanding that he actually wrote to a whole range of people. He did not just write to Senator Brown. I am taking a wild guess, but I suspect he may have written to some members of the opposition as well. I certainly received the same letter that Senator Brown received, so I was fully aware of Professor Ricketson's views in these areas. In fact, one of the reasons somebody might be chosen to examine these issues is that they have some experience, training and knowledge in these areas. But I do not believe there was any contact with Senator Brown.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Again, I thank the minister for his answer. I ask a further supplementary question: who proposed the inclusion of paragraphs 17 and 18 of the issues paper, issued by the Independent Inquiry into Media and Media Regulation, which canvass whether there is a need to assist independent journalism and the best method of doing this? Has the minister discussed the issue of tax deductibility status for not-for-profit media with Senator Bob Brown?

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

I just want to clarify that you are referring to the paper they released themselves, as opposed to my terms of reference.

Ian Macdonald (Queensland, Liberal Party, Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Northern and Remote Australia) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

No, the issues paper.

Senator Abetz interjecting—

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

You mean the issues paper they issued themselves. No, there was a terms of reference, and they issued one, Senator Abetz. It may come as a surprise to you, but the first I saw of their issues paper was when they supplied it to me very shortly before they publicly released it. I had no conversations with Professor Ricketson, Senator Bob Brown or former Justice Finkelstein—or 'the Fink', as he is more affectionately known, I am told. Senator Bob Brown might want to nod or shake his head, but I do not believe I had any discussions with Senator Brown about their issues paper. He is indicating 'no', so he has put that conspiracy theory completely to bed for you as well, Senator Macdonald.