Page 4840 - Week 16 - Thursday, 29 November 1990
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The facts of the matter are clear. The sorts of discrimination and intimidation which have been demonstrated in the last few weeks and have been reported in the Canberra Times are, in many ways, the sorts of issues which would be prevented under this legislation. I have to say that, from the Labor Party's point of view, we would support that sort of legislation. (Quorum formed)
Mr Humphries repeatedly says that there has been no pressure. If there has been no pressure, no black listing and no attempts to influence the media, why was it that the journalist who wrote those articles in recent editions of the Canberra Times was sacked yesterday at about the same time as the Minister sent a copy of the letter which referred to senior physicians to the Canberra Times?
Mr Humphries: On a point of order, Mr Speaker: I think he is making an allegation that I have placed some improper pressure on - - -
Mr Berry: Frivolous, absolutely frivolous.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Berry, resume your seat.
Mr Humphries: To suggest that I have put improper pressure on the Canberra Times to cause some journalist to be sacked is extremely improper, and I would ask Mr Berry to withdraw the allegation.
MR SPEAKER: I would ask you to withdraw that, please, Mr Berry.
MR BERRY: I did not make any such suggestion, so I do not need to withdraw it.
MR SPEAKER: Order, Mr Berry! I understood you to say that.
MR BERRY: You misunderstood me.
MR SPEAKER: Would you withdraw it on the premise that there has been a misunderstanding by two members of the - - -
MR BERRY: I will withdraw on the basis of the misunderstanding that you have made, Mr Speaker; but let me say, in clarification, that the way I put it was thus. I said: if there has been no pressure or black listing in the course of recent weeks when these issues have been reported - and it is well known that his departmental officials approached the Canberra Times - why then was this journalist sacked? That is all. I asked the question. I did not infer that Mr Humphries was directly responsible for the sacking - my apologies.
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