Page 511 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 20 February 1991
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colleague Mr Humphries, to oversee development and operation of the service. It has been carefully planned and I can assure the community that it has been very much welcomed by those people in the counselling and psychiatric day care circuit who see the need for this service to fill a gap which existed when we took government.
Radio Station 2XX - Management Decisions
MR STEVENSON: My question is directed to the Attorney-General, Bernard Collaery. Is the Attorney-General aware of the cancellation of the 2XX fortnightly radio program "On the Left", hosted by David McMullen? Would Mr Collaery indicate whether or not the management of 2XX has the right to determine which side of an issue aligns to its political viewpoint and then censor out the other side, by programming policy, cancellation of programs, or removal of presenters? And he might like to comment on how 2XX is funded and what percentage of public funds are used for the funding of that radio station.
MR COLLAERY: I thank Mr Stevenson for a very timely question. Mr Speaker, there are a number of issues engaged by this matter. Firstly, I think it is no secret that my Law Office is contributing to the States and Territories Attorneys working group on a matter that relates not only to defamation law reform but also to media ethics. We are working on that matter and I will be speaking on it interstate in the next few weeks. It will be a keynote national address. In that paper that is being prepared by our law reform unit, which is one of the most impressive - - -
Ms Follett: Are you selling tickets?
MR COLLAERY: The Leader of the Opposition laughs, of course. She purports to want to form a government, but mocks our public servants at every juncture.
Mr Connolly: Mr Speaker, on a point of order: There has been no mocking of public servants by the Leader of the Opposition, and the Attorney-General should - - -
MR SPEAKER: Order! I do not believe that that is a valid point of order.
MR COLLAERY: They are very sensitive on this topic, but they will get a little more jumpy in a moment. Mr Stevenson asked specifically about the ethics of 2XX. I have heard Senator Bob Collins state his position in relation to being Minister assisting the Minister responsible for telecommunications and the like. He stated very clearly that if the allegations are correct it is a broad-ranging breach of the Broadcasting Act and it would be a matter for the Broadcasting Tribunal.
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