Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Senator Watt. Former special forces commando Heston Russell repeatedly asked for a correction and an apology for stories the ABC published that defamed him and November platoon, accusing them of committing war crimes in Afghanistan at a time when they weren't even in that country. He offered to settle the case for $99,000, which the ABC refused, and proceeded to trial. The defamatory articles were brought to the attention of Minister Rowland, the Minister for Communications, by a 26,000-signature petition, which she acknowledged on 20 March and on which she failed to act. Minister, what is the cost to the taxpayer for the ABC's legal fees in this matter so far?

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

Thank you, Senator Roberts, for that question. I will have to take on notice the exact details of that question that you've asked. Presumably, these are matters that you'd also have the opportunity to ask the ABC at estimates next week. So I am happy to come back to you with any details that I can provide on that. The broader issue around any defamation action taken against the ABC is really a matter for ABC management. Of course, this government believes in the independence of the ABC and, in particular, its editorial independence.

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

You mean the bias.

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

Senator Rennick, on the other hand, thinks that it's a biased organisation. That's a very disappointing remark to make about the national broadcaster but perhaps one that we're used to after years of ABC cuts under the former government. It would appear that Senator Rennick isn't the only member of the opposition who regards the ABC as biased. Again, it's a very disappointing view to express about the national broadcaster—the only publicly funded broadcaster. Again, it probably indicates why the ABC suffered such severe funding cuts under the former government.

So, Senator Roberts, you'll obviously have the opportunity to ask those questions of ABC management at estimates next week. I know Senator Henderson always has questions for the ABC as well, so she will no doubt do that again next week.

Sorry, Senator Ruston, we get to answer the questions, and I've already—

Honourable senators interjecting—

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

Order, across the chamber! Minister Watt, please refer to me when you're answering the question. Senator Henderson?

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

On indulgence—

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

No, Senator Henderson. Resume your seat. Minister, please continue, or have you finished your answer?

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

I actually answered the question in the first five seconds by saying that I'd take those details on notice. But I'm obviously able to then comment on the question more broadly, and that's what I've spent one minute and 55 seconds doing.

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

Senator Roberts, a first supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The judge in this trial was scathing of the ABC journalists involved in the case, saying they became defensive and considered any criticism as merely part of a culture-war attack and this inhibited 'a proper remedial response to criticism'. The ABC journalists thought they were part of a culture war, and that prevented them from acting impartially and reasonably, leading to a potential multimillion dollar bill to taxpayers. Minister, what consequences will the journalists involved face for eroding people's trust in the ABC, and why hasn't their employment already been terminated?

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

Senator Roberts, I'm pleased to inform you that Australia now has a government that doesn't have political interference in the ABC and so we have no intention of repeating the sort of intervention that we've seen—

Opposition Senators:

Opposition senators interjecting—

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where's the accountability?

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

from some of the people who are yelling across the chamber now in matters involving the ABC. These are matters that are the responsibility of ABC management, and we respect their independence. I understand, Senator Roberts, that the Federal Court has obviously handed down its decision in these defamation proceedings. There do remain several settlement matters before the court, so I probably shouldn't be commenting any further on what might happen there. And, as I've said, the ABC is responsible for managing its legal matters, including defamation claims and litigation, just as any media proprietor, whether it be publicly funded or privately owned, is responsible for managing its legal matters, including when it's sued for defamation. We believe that the ABC is a trusted source of news, information and entertainment for all Australians and we support it.

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

Senator Roberts, a second supplementary question?

Malcolm Roberts (Queensland, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Minister, Heston Russell was a victim of disinformation published by the ABC in an ordeal that he has called the 'hardest battle he has ever fought'. Can you please confirm that Minister Roland's misinformation and disinformation bill would not cover the ABC and won't protect people like Heston Russell from government disinformation?

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

Senator Roberts, I'm very pleased that you've taken an interest in matters involving misinformation and disinformation. I welcome your sudden interest in misinformation and disinformation, and I hope that that's something that you will retain an interest in when it comes to election campaigns that you're involved in, Senator Roberts. I really do hope that you do that. We'd like to hear more about that.

Matthew Canavan (Queensland, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Mediscare was a great example!

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

And, Senator Canavan—he's a big fan of misinformation and disinformation as well, so I look forward to Senator Canavan supporting us in tackling misinformation and disinformation.

Gerard Rennick (Queensland, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Where's this greenhouse that you keep talking about? Talk about disinformation—

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

Oh, and Senator Rennick. We've got everyone! We've got all of the kings of misinformation and disinformation up commenting today!

Hello, Gerard; how are you? Of course, the government does have legislation before the parliament to deal with misinformation and disinformation. We think that it is an important issue in today's media environment, particularly in the social media environment that we're operating under, and we think that it's an important piece of legislation to deal with.