David Norris (Independent)

The Leader played a significant and constructive role on the debates on the defamation legislation. He will recall that the Government at that stage promised to introduce a privacy Bill to balance out the Defamation Bill. I am glad to note the Privacy Bill 2006 is No. 12 on the Order Paper. In light of the previous debates in which both the Leader and I took part, will the Leader inform the House when the Bill will be moved? Having recently reread the legislation, it is in general well drafted and well considered. I would welcome its passing by this House and the other House. If it is helpful, I would be pleased to add my name to the legislation and, if the Government wishes, to move that we make time available next Tuesday to start the process.

I am all in favour of a free press and media that are capable of proper investigative journalism. On the subject of journalism, I am reliably informed by my distinguished academic colleague, Senator Barrett, that the ratings agencies are just another form of journalism. I wonder if we cannot do something about them as well, as I have been asking for the past three or four years. They are causing mayhem across international stock exchanges today by presuming, as a group of journalists - a form of low critic as far as I can see - to de-rate most of the European Union. I wonder if it is tolerable that a private institution of economic journalists should be permitted to do such damage without being held to account, particularly in light of the agencies' highly sinister history.