Interview
7pm
30 April 2017
E & OE
PATRICIA
KARVELAS:
Mitch Fifield,
welcome to the studio.
MITCH
FIFIELD:
Good to be with
you, Patricia.
KARVELAS:
On the metadata
breach, that was revealed by the AFP on Friday. What are you doing to
ensure that a breach like this never happens again, because this was not meant
to happen to journalists’ data? It has happened; it’s a very serious
issue.
FIFIELD:
Well, I think
the positive thing here is that the Federal Police have self-reported to the
Ombudsman. The Ombudsman is going to be undertaking an inquiry. The
Federal Police Commissioner gave a full account of his understanding of how
this transpired. It is important that, when it comes to the metadata of
journalists, it is only accessed when you have a warrant given to enable that
to happen. So, it’s important that the rules are followed –
KARVELAS:
But the fact
that the rules weren’t followed and that this has happened; the journalist who
it has happened to has not been told. Shouldn’t the journalist
know? I mean, that puts all journalists under this cloud of thinking: “it
could be me”
FIFIELD:
Well, look, I
think the important thing is to wait for the Ombudsman to undertake their
review of this incident, of the circumstances around it. The Commissioner has
made clear that they are going to be improving their internal training. I
think we need to go back a step, though, and recognise that metadata is
something that has been accessed by law enforcement agencies for a long
time. The changes that the Government put in place, really, were
two-fold: one was to recognise that businesses weren’t, for a range of
reasons, retaining metadata for the periods of time that they used to be –
KARVELAS:
Sure, but for
journalists –
FIFIELD:
So we now
require it for two years; but the other important point is, there used to be
around 80 law enforcement agencies who could access metadata. That’s now
come down to about 20. But you’re right, these sorts of things shouldn’t
happen. It’s a positive that the Commissioner was up front and the
Ombudsman will be investigating.
KARVELAS:
Are you
prepared to look into whether the protections for journalists are strong
enough?
FIFIELD:
Well, I think
the protections for journalists are very strong. I think the requirement
that there be a warrant is important –
KARVELAS:
But, clearly,
police aren’t adhering to this because this shouldn’t have happened.
FIFIELD:
Well, in this
circumstance, according to the Police Commissioner, there was no ill-will
involved. It was, from what he said, a mistake. So, let’s take a
look at what the Ombudsman ultimately finds.
KARVELAS:
Okay but you
are prepared to look at it if there is a case for bigger protections for
journalists because all… I mean, it’s a very chilling effect on journalists,
who, as I say, don’t if it’s them, don’t know if they’re under a cloud or
they’re being watched?
FIFIELD:
Well, look,
under the legislation, there are greater protections than there were
previously. But obviously, this is an area that the Parliament
continually monitors.
KARVELAS:
So you do think
the Parliament should take a look, based on what the Ombudsman finds,
potentially that the Government is watching this closely?
FIFIELD:
Look, I’m not
making a statement of policy. I’m just stating a fact that this is an
area that the Parliament does continually monitor.
KARVELAS:
But, as
Communications Minister, do you want to take a look at this, to make sure that
journalists are protected, so there is no, I suppose, second guessing by
journalists of the important work they do?
FIFIELD:
Look, I think
there are good protections. There will, on occasion, be human
error. From what the Commissioner says, it looks like this is a case of
that.
KARVELAS:
Okay. Just on
some of your portfolio issues, before we get to the politics of the day; on
gambling ads during live sporting events, do you support a betting ad from five
minutes before and five minutes after a game begins? Is that something
you think might be a good idea? I know it’s on the table.
FIFIELD:
Well, at the
moment, what we have in Australia is a code-based system of protection, when it
come gambling advertising. The industry will consult on a code. It will
be registered by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. And the
Code, as it stands, essentially says that you can’t have gambling ads in
programming which is directed at children. There are certain carve-outs
from that around sport and current affairs and news. We’re mindful, as a
Government, that there is community concern about the prevalence of gambling
advertising, particularly in sport. It’s something that parents are
concerned about and we’re taking a look at it.
KARVELAS:
Do you think a
buffer before and after, as well, though, should be perhaps part of that?
FIFIELD:
Well, look, the
–
KARVELAS:
Because,
obviously, you know, it’s not just when the game starts that you’re
watching. There is a lead-up and after; after the fact as well.
FIFIELD:
Well, we’re
mindful of the community view in this area. We’re taking a look. I
can’t tell you what the end result will be –
KARVELAS:
What’s your
instinct? Are you really –
FIFIELD:
But there are a
range of different ways that you could further enhance the protections for
kids.
KARVELAS:
But they will
be beefed up? Is that definitely something that you think needs to
happen?
FIFIELD:
Look, it’s an
area that we’re taking a look at and I can’t announce something –
KARVELAS:
I know you’re
not going to announce it but you can give me an indication of just where you’re
moving, based on what you have determined so far.
FIFIELD:
Well we
obviously, consult closely with the industry. We talk to the sporting codes as
well. We also talk to the gaming operators themselves. So, we’re
considering and have considered what they’ve put to us and we’ll have something
to say in future.
KARVELAS:
How about
licence fee cuts? I mean, we’ve heard a lot about them. Is that a
done deal? Can we expect that in the Government, in the Budget
rather?
FIFIELD:
Well licence
fees, for those members of your audience who probably aren’t au fait with
this. Because it’s not something we sit up in bed thinking about, or
no-one other than me and those who work in TV. Licence fees were
introduced in the late ‘50s/early ‘60s. Essentially a super profits tax
of its time. There wasn’t any competition for the electronic media so
they were in a good position to make good profits. Obviously, there’s massive
competition now. So as a result, successive governments have reduced
licence fees. When Stephen Conroy was Comms Minister, he reduced licence fees.
I reduced licence fees by 25% in the last Budget. I think, between him
and me, we’ve reduced licence fees by about 62.5% since 2013. And we
announced last Budget that we would examine further licence fee cuts in the context
of this Budget. And it’s something we’re looking at.
KARVELAS:
Okay, do you
think the case has been made for further cuts?
FIFIELD:
Well, we’ve
demonstrated already that we think there was a case for cuts – 25% cut in the
last Budget. We said we’d look at it again in the context of this
Budget. And that’s what we’re doing.
KARVELAS:
Okay, how about
the Anti-siphoning List – trimming that list – is that very much on the
cards?
FIFIELD:
Well, it’s a
proposition that is routinely raised by subscription television and it’s
something that’s constantly under review. I think it’d be a mistake to
see the Anti-siphoning List as something that had always been set in
stone. Over time, there are events that go onto the list and events that
come off the list.
KARVELAS:
Okay ongoing,
but is this something immediate that you’re looking at now?
FIFIELD:
Well it’s a
petition that is always strongly made to us by subscription TV.
KARVELAS:
Sometimes it’s
strongly made, and you don’t strongly listen. Are you strongly listening this
time?
FIFIELD:
Well we always
listen.
KARVELAS:
You don’t
always listen.
FIFIELD:
We always
listen. We don’t always agree with the proposition that’s put to us. We
always listen –
KARVELAS:
Are you more
likely to agree? Are you convinced? Are you convinced it needs a reduction?
FIFIELD:
Look the
Anti-siphoning List is something that is governed by – I think – a lot of
myths. I think there’s a bit of misapprehension that the Anti-siphoning List
guarantees that the events on the list must be broadcast on free-to-air.
It doesn’t. It gives free-to-air the first go. The Anti-siphoning List doesn’t
even mandate that if free-to-air have those rights, that they’ve got to
broadcast them. And also, it doesn’t prevent free-to-air from onselling those
to subscription TV. So a lot of myths around the Anti-siphoning List.
We’re having strong views put to us about it. And we’ll consider those.
KARVELAS:
Just another
question in your portfolio area: something you were asked about, but haven’t
spoken about on camera and that’s Yassmin Abdel-Magied and her Facebook post.
She later apologised as being quite a strong reaction to it. I know Barnaby
Joyce said she should be sacked off the ABC, for instance. Where she is a very
much part-time, I don’t think she even has a long-term contract at the ABC. Do
you think she should be sacked, or is that an over-reaction?
FIFIELD:
Well the first
point is I was appalled by what she posted on Anzac Day. Anzac Day is a time of
national reflection. It’s important that that is respected, and that we take
the time to pause and think about the service that men and women in uniform
have rendered, and the sacrifices that they make. And on the day, I said that I
thought it was a crude attempt to politicising a day of national reflection.
For my part, I recognise that the ABC has its independence. Who they choose to
take on board as their presenters, is a matter for them. But if I was in charge
of a broadcasting organisation, let me be clear: she’s not someone I’d be
hiring.
KARVELAS:
Okay, but she
apologised straight away. I wonder what room there is for people to retract, to
show contrition, to show that they went too far, in our culture. I mean a
broader question, you know, I see these Facebook and Twitter statements from
lots of people that have been very inappropriate; and when people show they’re
sorry, is that good enough?
FIFIELD:
Well I think if
you’re engaged by the national public broadcaster, whether that be as a
full-time employee, or as someone who part-time presents at the weekend – as in
her case – you have a particular duty of care. And you especially have a
duty of care when it comes to Anzac Day. And although she was not speaking on
behalf of the ABC, nevertheless, because she does work for the ABC, that
reflects on the ABC as an organisation. And I think that’s a great pity, that
there is that reflection on the ABC. And it’s important that the ABC absolutely
distances themselves from what she said.
KARVELAS:
Ok, on a few
other issues, because that story’s quite old now, there’s a few newer issues;
like for instance Kelly O’Dwyer, one of your colleagues, on maternity leave,
but facing a hit. Basically people, you know, trying to destabilise and pull
her out of her seat. What’s going on in the Victorian branch of the Liberal
Party?
FIFIELD:
Well I don’t
think what you saw is representative of the Victorian branch of the Liberal
Party. In fact, I’m not even sure that the individuals involved in that are
members of the Party. Look, it was unseemly. Kelly’s a terrific colleague;
she’s doing a great job as Minister –
KARVELAS:
Why is she
getting all the blame for this, when it was a whole Government decision?
FIFIELD:
Well look,
everyone in Government owns our superannuation policy. Kelly has been a fine
minister. I’m really happy and excited for her, that she and Jon have had their
second kid. And you know, let’s give them a bit of space. Let them enjoy
this time in their life. I think Kelly has handled this particular incident
with a very dignified silence, which is appropriate.
KARVELAS:
Yeah I don’t
imagine it would’ve been very easy. Just a couple of issues on stories of the
day; GST review is on the cards, a Productivity Commission review – I think
2018 is the day where it reports – are you just buying yourselves some more
time?
FIFIELD:
No not at all.
I mean the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and the Finance Minister have very
much been on the front foot when it comes to the issue of GST and distribution.
The PM – I think it was back in August – announced that the Council of
Australian Governments would be looking at the concept of a ‘floor’ below which
your share couldn’t go below. And that was very much in the context of Western
Australia. Western Australia’s share is growing over time, when that goes above
a particular threshold then that’s something that the Council of Australian
Governments can look at. Separate to that is what the Treasurer has announced
today, which is the Productivity Commission inquiring into horizontal fiscal
equalisation – basically, the sharing of the GST. And this is doing it through
the prism of how that works to support, or otherwise, productivity and growth.
Because you can have some perversities in the particular arrangements; where if
you have a particular jurisdiction that reforms in an area, is efficient in an
area, they can sometimes through the formulas, actually be penalised as a
result of being more efficient. So you want to make sure you have the right
incentives, for the right behaviours –
KARVELAS:
Okay, you do,
but at the end of this process, are you really prepared to take money away from
a state like New South Wales and have the fight? Because there’re Premiers that
are very grumpy right now, this is a huge fight. Are you willing to have this
fight to give money to WA?
FIFIELD:
Well I think
it’s appropriate. The GST has been in place since 2000. The current
formulas have been around since then. So let’s take a look and make sure
that the grants system, sorry the Grants Commission, and the formula it
oversights is actually working to support productivity and growth. That’s
a good thing.
KARVELAS:
Mitch Fifield
thanks for coming in on a Sunday night.
FIFIELD:
Good to be with
you.
[ends]