Buoyed after recent legislative victories including Gonski 2.0, the Government clinched a deal with Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party’s crucial bloc of four Senators over its media reform package.
Senator Hanson confirmed her party had offered the Government “conditional support” in exchange for a series of sweeteners, including changes to force the ABC to be more transparent about senior staff wages, an increase in “fair” and “balanced” reporting and increases to community radio funding and foreign ownership reporting.
Part of the reform agenda will see the Government iron out such measures as the so-called ‘two out of three’ rule, which prevents a media company owning a TV station, newspaper and radio station in the one licence area. Further reforms include ending the ‘reach rule’, which prevents a single TV station from reaching more than 75 per cent of the population.
In her statement outlining her support, Senator Hanson said, “One Nation has been at the forefront calling for more transparency of wages at the ABC and we have received assurances from the Government that they will be asking the ABC to start providing details of the wages and conditions of all staff, who’s wages and allowances are greater than $200,000, similar to what is being implement by the British Broadcasting Corporation”.
The BBC was forced to announce the salaries of its highest-earning actors and presenters, unearthing a national debate about fame, gender, race and the use of taxpayers’ money.
The news of the deal comes at a time where the Greens, who were willing to negotiate to be part of the bargaining process, now say they will oppose the changes, along with Senator Nick Xenophon’s bloc of three votes. Speaking with the press gallery on Tuesday morning, Greens Leader Senator Richard Di Natale said his support for any media changes would be contingent on an increase in funding for the ABC and publicly funded sibling, SBS. “To get our support, what we need to see is an increase in funding for the ABC and SBS,” Senator Di Natale said. “We need to see more support for independent, public interest journalism, we want Australian stories to be told.
Speaking with ABC Radio on Wednesday, Senator Xenophon remained cautious of any changes, saying “The short answer is no because this piece of legislation is not about the ABC or SBS … I do not see where these changes come into it. I support the current charter, which as you said reflects ‘accurate’ and ‘impartial’ broadcasting. I cannot see the need for the so-called fair and balanced test. What that would mean for the ABC in terms of the way it can fearlessly report issues, to cover issues, really concerns me”.
Of the other crossbench Senators likely to be involved in horse-trading, Senator Derryn Hinch said he remained committed to the media reforms, while Liberal Democrat Senator David Leyonhjelm would be expected to side with the Government and vote accordingly. Leader of the Australian Conservatives, Senator Cory Bernardi, said he liked the changes instigated by the Pauline Hanson One Nation Party, which he concluded were “reasonable and balanced” and would not further impede the budget.
