Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator Watt. Minister, a photograph obtained by Sky News shows an ABC Four Corners crew on the driveway of Woodside CEO Meg O'Neill's home in Perth last week. Do you agree the photograph calls into doubt the ABC's public explanation of what occurred at the property last week?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thanks, Senator Henderson. I was actually asked about this matter on Sky News myself yesterday morning, and the point I made there was that everyone, no matter whether they're a CEO of a large Australian company or a senator or any member of the public, is entitled to feel safe in their own home. As I think one of our ministers—and certainly Minister Rowland—commented last week, it's simply unacceptable for anyone to present a risk to a human being in their own home, as would appear to have occurred in Perth last week. The ABC managing director has made statements that he is investigating this matter. I think it would be a good idea for us to reserve judgement until we see the results of that investigation, but I have seen the photos that Senator Henderson refers to and, as I said yesterday, I think they're very worrying. I know that Minister Rowland has already sought information from the ABC about what has occurred here. Of course, the ABC does have editorial independence, and that does need to be respected, but I think all of us would be concerned if we learned that a film crew from any media outlet was involved in any way in an activity that is intimidating and goes way beyond what should be acceptable in public debate.

Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Including the Murdoch press!

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Order!

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

As I say, I suggest that we should wait and reserve judgement until that investigation is complete, but, as I said yesterday, I think that the image that has surfaced is very worrying. Minister Rowland, I know, is taking this matter seriously and has sought information from the ABC as is appropriate. We are very interested in hearing the outcome of that investigation.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Hanson-Young, I'm not quite sure what precipitated that interjection, but I remind you that I've asked for silence, and there are other opportunities throughout the sitting week to make a contribution. Senator Henderson, a first supplementary?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

N () (): Minister, last week Senator Wong told this chamber that the minister had sought further details from the ABC on this matter, and you referred to this in your answer. However, could you please clarify: has the minister had a response as yet? If not, is that acceptable to the minister?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I'm aware that the ABC has confirmed that a television crew was present to film the activities of this activist group for an upcoming report, but the ABC has said that they had no prior knowledge of the nature of behaviour that would occur. But the minister, I know, takes this matter very seriously, and that's why she has sought further information from the ABC on this matter.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, on a point of order of direct relevance: I was seeking information about whether the minister had sought further details—not the public statement but further details—from the ABC. Has there been a response? If there hasn't been a response, is that acceptable?

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Thank you, Senator Henderson. I do think the minister is being relevant, and I will continue to listen carefully to his answer.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I've already said, Senator Henderson, a couple of times now that the minister has sought information from the ABC. I understand she has also spoken with the ABC chair, who provided reassurance that the ABC TV crew had no prior knowledge of the nature of the behaviour that would occur. But, clearly, with the image that surfaced yesterday morning, there are some further questions to be answered by ABC management, and that's why the minister's office has sought further information. I think we need to recognise that this image only came to light yesterday and it's being handled seriously. (Time expired.)

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson, your second supplementary?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Will the government join the coalition and support the establishment of a Senate inquiry into the ABC's involvement in the matter?

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Well, that's the first I've heard of a proposal from the opposition to establish such a Senate inquiry. I'm not sure whether that's been canvassed with anyone else within government ranks. Ordinarily, what one would do when proposing a Senate inquiry is come and have a chat to people rather than use a question in question time to announce that intention. We know that's not the purpose of the question. I've already said, a couple of times now, that this matter is being investigated by ABC management. I think the appropriate thing to do, given their editorial independence, something that former coalition governments haven't well understood—I knew that would get a rise.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson on a point of order?

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

On direct relevance, President. The question is—

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson, there is no need to repeat the question. I'm well aware of what the question is. The minister is being directly relevant.

Sarah Henderson (Victoria, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Education) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

It's about the Senate inquiry, President.

Sue Lines (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Senator Henderson, please resume your seat.

Murray Watt (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Can I suggest to Senator Henderson, and all members of the opposition, that I think the appropriate way to handle this is to see what the outcome of the ABC investigation is, rather than leap to judgement, set up a Senate inquiry and get the culture war running again, which would apparently be behind the senator's question.

Penny Wong (SA, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

President, I ask that further questions be placed on notice.