Wangaratta, Victoria
2 July 2015
11:30am
E & OE
Subjects: St John’s Village opening, same sex marriage, media laws
JOURNALIST:
So fantastic to be here, I know we have put on a bit of fair weather for you.
FIFIELD:
It’s fabulous to be here in Wangaratta with Sophie Mirabella, a good friend and a good community candidate for the opening of the refurbished St John’s age care facility. St John’s is a great organisation that sees community need and just gets on with the job of meeting it.
JOURNALIST:
Can you tell us a little bit about the project?
FIFIELD:
St John’s has been a provider of age care facilities for the community for a long time. Some of their stock was getting a little bit long in the tooth. So they’ve set about developing this fabulous new facility, which is state-of-the-art. The important thing to remember, it’s something that St Johns always remembers, is that this is someone’s home and you have got to design facilities to recognise that.
JOURNALIST:
On another issue, same sex marriage is likely to come before the Parliament in August. Cathy McGowan said she is going to back the bill, what’s your stance?
FIFIELD:
As a government we have a position in relation to marriage and that is to support the status quo. But the Prime Minister before the election indicated that if there was to be a change, that would be a matter for our party room to determine.
JOURNALIST:
What is the status quo?
FIFIELD:
The status quo is marriage between a man and a woman. It is the long-standing, community accepted, definition of marriage. But if there is to be a change to the Government position, then that is a matter for our party room.
JOURNALIST:
What about yourself as an individual, what is your belief?
FIFIELD:
Well I support the status quo. Obviously our colleagues have a range of views on this subject. And I think it’s really important that we treat every view with a great deal of respect.
JOURNALIST:
Now on another issue, the media laws, are we likely to see a change any time soon?
FIFIELD:
Media laws are a matter for the Communications Minister, Malcolm Turnbull. There isn’t a proposition at the moment, before the Government to change media laws. But obviously we are very supportive and recognise the crucial role that local media plays in regional communities.
JOURNALIST:
Do you have concerns that local media may cease to exist if the media laws aren’t changed?
FIFIELD:
I think local media will always exist. Local media plays an important role in providing news and information to the local community. This Government is, and will continue to be, a strong supporter of local media.
ENDS
Media contact:
Vincent Tulley | 0409 244 865 | Vincent.tulley@dss.gov.au