Coalition to move on press freedom
Coalition flags new measures this week after the government came under fire over raids.
The Coalition has flagged action on press freedom after the government came under fire for police raids on the ABC’s Sydney headquarters and the home of a senior News Corp journalist.
Finance Minister Mathias Cormann yesterday opened the door to a parliamentary inquiry, telling reporters in Perth the government would publicly address the AFP probes in coming days.
“There are obviously a range of issues to be considered here and we’ll make statements in relation to this later in the week,” Senator Cormann said.
Last week’s raids, which were sparked by separate reports based on leaked classified information regarding national security, prompted a debate over the freedom of the press and protections for journalists.
If the government rejected a Senate inquiry into the raids, Labor, the Greens and four crossbenchers would be required to secure a parliamentary probe.
Senator Pauline Hanson, whose One Nation party holds two seats in the upper house, yesterday backed a proposed parliamentary investigation into press freedom.
But the One Nation leader, who was the subject of an undercover Al Jazeera investigation earlier this year that revealed her party was seeking funds from the US National Rifle Association, said journalists shouldn’t have “complete freedom”.
“I think there should be an inquiry,” Senator Hanson said. “Let’s hear the full information with this. I’ve had my occasions with the media over the years and journalists haven’t always been up front and fair.
“They’re biased and I think I don’t agree with giving them complete freedom.”
Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick, whose party holds two seats, has also thrown his support behind an inquiry, but added this would hinge on the inquiry’s terms of reference.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young yesterday told The Australian she would work with her Senate colleagues to determine the scope of any inquiry.
“While an investigation into how the government’s agenda has eroded press freedom would be well placed in the environment and communications committee, there has been a suggestion to establish a standing committee,” she said. “Any inquiry would need to look at the hypocrisy of government leaks and referrals to the AFP that are in their interest.”
A spokesman for opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally said an inquiry was something the party was “still considering”.
“There are quirks and oddities that could be explored through a broad Senate inquiry,” the spokesman said. “It’s an option Labor is still considering.”
Growing support for an inquiry comes as ABC chairwoman Ita Buttrose announced she would meet the Prime Minister to discuss the raid, in which police seized 9214 documents relating to a 7.30 story regarding clandestine operations by Australia’s special forces in Afghanistan.
The Australian revealed yesterday the ABC has retained Matt Collins QC, one of the nation’s top media barristers, as it considers a legal response to test the Constitution’s implied right of political communication.
Scott Morrison said last week he expected to have a frank discussion with Ms Buttrose.
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