(1) Has he seen media reports that the Press Council has warned the Federal Government that (a) its plan to change Australia's cross-media ownership laws could lead to a direct threat to the freedom of the press and (b) giving powers to the Australian Broadcasting Authority could be detrimental to the independence of the press.

(2) Will the Minister proceed with the proposal to change Australia's cross-media ownership rules to allow a person to own newspapers, television stations and radio stations in the one licence area; if so, why.

(1) Yes.

(2) Yes. The Government has made an election commitment to reform Australia's media ownership rules. The Government believes that the current media ownership laws will limit the Australian media sector to an outdated structure, little or no capacity for new players, an absence of further competition, and an inability to respond to a rapidly evolving and converging international media environment.