Senator STERLE (2:24 PM) —My question is directed to Senator Coonan, the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. I refer the minister to recent reports indicating that the government plans to amend the antisiphoning laws which are designed to ensure that major sporting events are available to all Australians on free-to-air television. Can the minister confirm reports that the government will reduce the number of events on the list? Can the minister advise the Senate which of the following sports will no longer be available on free-to-air TV after this purge: the Ashes, the AFL, the NRL, the Bledisloe Cup, the netball or the Soccer World Cup? Does the government plan to engage in any process of consultation with the community before events like these are axed from the list?

Senator COONAN (Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) —I have the honour of also having Senator Sterle’s question, and I congratulate him. As a little word of advice to you, Senator Sterle, I suggest that you not take questions from Senator Conroy because you will get a very wrong steer. You seem to have read some report about antisiphoning. All I can say is: do not believe everything you read, Senator Sterle. This government will be retaining all of the icon events that are on the antisiphoning list. Currently there are over 2,000 events on the antisiphoning list. There are many that are not bought or not watched and are denied to people who otherwise might enjoy watching them. I have said publicly that, in relation to the monitoring of the list, those items that are not purchased or bought might otherwise be looked at.

As you would know, Senator Sterle, if you have been following this particular part of my portfolio, this government does not let people down. Indeed, the Ashes are being shown very successfully on SBS. I assume that most of you who have an interest in the Ashes would be watching it. You have been given a completely wrong steer by Senator Conroy on this question. The icon events will all be retained and any that come off the list will be as a result of not having been used or purchased and as part of a monitoring process.

Senator STERLE —Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Does the minister stand by her comments on the ABC’s Media Report program where she described the antisiphoning regime as arcane? Why does the minister think that it is difficult to explain or understand that all Australians should be able to watch important sporting events like the netball, the Australian Open tennis, AFL and NRL matches and the Melbourne Cup without having to subscribe to pay TV? Can the minister advise the Senate whether the Prime Minister shares her extreme views which are out of touch with those of the majority of Australians?

Senator COONAN (Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts) —Thank you, Senator Conroy—I am sorry, Senator Sterle. It is almost interchangeable. They are all Senator Conroy today.

Senator Chris Evans —You’ve got to get over this thing you have with Senator Conroy.

Senator COONAN —I love it. As I have said—and if I can just gently repeat it—the icon events will all remain on the antisiphoning list.