Alex White (Labour)

They both are my friends. Senator Norris said he was surprised — I know he was only teasing me but this issue is important as there is a serious aspect to it — that the Labour Party appeared to be aligning itself with the big media bosses and the press barons. On occasion, one finds oneself in the same camp as people with whom one does not particularly want to dine or be associated, politically or otherwise, but that should not take from the extent to which it is important for one to come forward and express a view. I do not know if deals, discussions or anything else engaged in with newspapers, whether with media barons or anybody else, formed any part of the rationale for this Bill. I very much hope that was not the case. I am much more interested in promoting debate, however, through newspapers, radio and television, and anything that I say on this debate has that in mind. I have no interest in being associated with media barons, bean barons or anything else. I regard this as a fundamental issue of democracy and that is the basis on which I support this provision.

It appears that in amendment No. 29 the Minister has substantially dealt with the issues raised in my party's amendments Nos. 31 and 32.