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

My question is to the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator Scullion. Can the minister advise the Senate when he or his office became aware of the Four Corners report and the nature of the disturbing footage of abuse at Don Dale Youth Detention Centre? What action did he or his office take?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I was advised that there was to be a Four Corners report at about midday on the day that it was shown. I directed my office to ring the ABC and to ask them if I could see a copy of the footage because I would be unable to see it at the time that it was shown. The ABC said that that was not possible.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, a supplementary question.

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

I refer to the minister, who said: 'I hadn't actually seen the program last night. I was on my way home. I was having dinner, so I didn't. We didn't watch it.' Did the minister not consider he should have prioritised watching the report over having dinner or getting a member of his staff to actually watch the program during the course of the day or at the time it was on?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I did have a strategy. I went to dinner. I came home. I am not sure if you have heard of iview, Senator, but I was able to watch it on iview when I returned home. It is disappointing that, after asking the ABC to provide me with a forward copy so I could see this before it actually showed, they were not able to provide me one. I was particularly disappointed to hear a reflection that somehow that circumstance was changed to the fact that perhaps I was actually offered to see it and I was not able to see it. I was very disappointed in that. But I had a plan, and I think it was important. It was important. I went as soon as it was available to me. I was able to see it that night, and I was able to reflect on those matters the following day.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Conroy, a final supplementary question.

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

I again refer to the minister's own comments:

It hadn't come to my attention, hadn't piqued my interest, well, sufficiently.

What would be required to pique the minister's interest, and at what time did the Prime Minister call you and instruct you to watch it?

Nigel Scullion (NT, Country Liberal Party, Minister for Indigenous Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On the term 'piqued my interest': I was referring to the media reports at the end of 2015. What did pique my interest, Senator Conroy, was the Four Corners views of the CCTV that showed a terrible culture of brutality to our youngest and most vulnerable. I can tell you that the comparison with what was in the media at the end of 2015 and what was in those reports at the end of 2015 was a huge gap. That is exactly what my reflection was on, and I stand to it.