Rethink press inquiry and act, Morrison urged

Coalition MPs are urging Scott Morrison not to set up a special ­inquiry into press freedom.

Liberal MP Jason Falinski said an inquiry was probably not the best way to improve media laws. Picture: AAP

Coalition MPs are urging Scott Morrison not to set up a special ­inquiry into press freedom, saying the issue should be resolved by an executive decision of government after consultation with media players.

“A parliamentary inquiry is probably the least desirable ­approach because of its potential to become politicised,” One Liberal­ MP told The Australian.

“I think there is a case for reform­, but whether that can be done through the normal processes of government or by an external body, by the Australian Law Reform Commission, are the two paths I would prefer.”

Opposition home affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally has backed an inquiry after Australian Federal Police raids last week on the home of a senior News Corp Australia journ­alist and on the ABC.

The Australian revealed yesterday Senator Keneally’s call for the inquiry to be undertaken by a ­specially created parliamentary committee or the existing joint com­mittee on intelligence and ­security. But Labor MP Anthony Byrne — the co-chair of the joint committee­ — said he was not in favour of taking on the role.

“My thinking would be that there should be a separate parliamentary committee that would be required to examine this,” he told the ABC.

Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said the government had not decided whether it would proceed with an inquiry.

“What we want to do is approac­h this matter in a sober and consultative and calm fashion­,” he told the ABC. “As the Prime Minister has said, we’re alway­s open if detailed analysis reveal­s that there’s a need for furthe­r improvement in the laws.”

Liberal MP Craig Kelly said parliament had oversight of the Australian Federal Police.

“There is a process there to investigate all their activities anyway, so I don’t think there is any need for any special inquiry, because there is a structure there at the moment,” he said.

“There is no need to have a specia­l committee to formulate it.”

Former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce said decisions on press freedom and security should be left to the national security committee of cabinet. “Two out of three of the last heads of the nationa­l security committee have been journalists themselves, the current Deputy Prime Minister was a journalist,” Mr Joyce said.

“The idea that you disenfranchise the role of parliamentarians who are elected … goes against … (democracy). These people are responsi­ble for the long-term nationa­l interests of our nation. That is why they are elected.

“This is vastly more appropriate than having some committee.”

Liberal MP Jason Falinski said an inquiry was probably not the best way to improve media laws.

“I don’t think there is anything in an inquiry that we don’t already know,” he said. “We have had so many inquiries of this over time. There is not a lot new you can ­actually bring to the table.”

Nationals MP Keith Pitt said any action should be delayed until the end of the AFP investigations.