Doorstop
Press Gallery Parliament House Canberra
28 November 2017
7:00am
E & OE
JOURNALIST:
So why are you disappointed with Triple J’s decision?
FIFIELD:
I think Australians have come to love and accept that they can tune into their favourite 100 hottest hits on Australia Day. It’s part of the soundtrack of Australia Day and it has been for 20 years and I don’t think that should be abandoned by way of the ABC in effect seeking to make a political statement.
JOURNALIST:
Does this allow the Government to reconsider its position on the date of Australia Day at all?
FIFIELD:
Well Australia Day is January the 26th. It will remain so. And the ABC and Triple J should respect that.
JOURNALIST:
What kind of groundswell support would be needed publicly to actually seriously consider changing the date?
FIFIELD:
The ABC have legislated independence when it comes to programming decisions but as Minister I’m making clear to the ABC my view that they shouldn’t mess with Australia Day and they shouldn’t mess with the Hottest 100. I know that is the view of many of my parliamentary colleagues and it’s also a widely held view in the community that the ABC just shouldn’t be making political statements.
JOURNALIST:
What’s your view on your Nats colleagues pushing for a banking inquiry?
FIFIELD:
Our focus as a government has been on making practical changes to hold the banks to account whether that be through additional funds and powers for ASIC, whether that be for a simple one stop shop for complaints or whether that be the House Economics committee regularly interviewing the bank CEOs. What we’re about are practical measures to deliver for consumers and to hold the banks to account.
JOURNALIST:
Is there a real risk that Senator O’Sullivan’s bill could pass before Parliament rises?
FIFIELD:
We have a program this week which is to legislate same-sex marriage. That’s what our focus is on.
JOURNALIST:
What about the revelation now that Barnaby Joyce is saying that the Nationals party room could agree to support the bill. Is that disappointing?
FIFIELD:
Barnaby Joyce is focused on the New England by-election and I hope he’ll be successful there and can return and take up the position of Deputy Prime Minister. The National Party are, of course, always at liberty to debate any matter in their party room.
JOURNALIST:
Would you urge your National colleagues to drop this push though, for an inquiry?
FIFIELD:
Backbench colleagues are always at liberty to put forward their own ideas on issues, but as a Government we’re focused on getting practical outcomes for consumers and holding banks to account.
JOURNALIST:
This compensation scheme set to be announced this week by the Treasurer, will that be enough to ease any concerns within your government about whether enough is being done to look into misconduct?
FIFIELD:
Look I’ve seen media speculation but I always leave it to the Treasurer to talk to his portfolio.
JOURNALIST:
Thank you.
[ends]