Senator GREEN (Queensland) (15:09): I also seek to take note of those answers from the minister. The answers from the minister were very clear. In relation to the ABC, the ABC is independent, and that is really important. It is really important that the ABC has independence. It's enshrined in the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Act, and it's an important safeguard that ensures that the ABC's decisions are free from political interference. I read the ABC from time to time. I don't always agree with its reporting of our government or the decisions that we make, but the ABC is independent and able to make those independent decisions. They are also not above scrutiny. They absolutely should be scrutinised and they are. From time to time, quite often, for hours on end, they are scrutinised by this parliament about their editorial decisions and the actions that they take. As was referred to today, an investigation will take place into the program that was referred to in question time. But the reason that those opposite ask these questions about the ABC and infer that somehow the ABC should not be independent or should not be funded is because they have a deep-seated hatred for the idea that we should have a funded free broadcaster in this country. They want to sell, privatise and cut the ABC and, every time they get into government, they have a really good go at it. They cut the ABC and they try to sell it. This is something they are really up front about. They put motions through their conferences, probably sponsored by Senator McGrath or others, from time to time because they want to sell the ABC. It's not about what's good for Australians; it's about what's good for the pre-selectors of the Liberal-National Party. It's about appealing to their base and trying to stake out a culture war about what the future of the ABC looks like. But what they don't include in those debates when they propose selling off the ABC is how important ABC is, particularly to regional communities, like the one that I live in, and the important role the ABC place The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, on a point of order? Senator Hughes: My point of order is on relevance. The motion to take note was about the question asked of the minister regarding to the Heston Russell matter. No-one asked a question about selling the ABC. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Senator Hughes, it is not a debate. Senator Hughes: We have to talk about the issue. The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: No, the member is relevant because in take note we are discussing the efficacy of the ABC. Senator Green. Senator GREEN: Thanks, Deputy President. I was talking about the plans from the Liberal-National Party to sell off the ABC, because we understand the context of the questions they ask. Anyone can see through the context of the questions that they ask. But what they don't talk about is the very important role the ABC plays in regional communities like the one that I live in, and I wish that they would talk about it more. Because, particularly during summer when it comes to cyclones, floods or bushfires, the ABC plays an incredibly important role. Everyone in our regional community relies on and turns to the ABC when there is an emergency. We rely on the ABC to give us the most up-to-date information, particularly in those emergencies. Often, in a regional community like the one I live in and the ones that I represent, the ABC can be the only form of news, of scrutiny of politicians. The ABC comes to the press conferences that I hold in regional Queensland and they ask me questions as well. It's an important role that they play, particularly in our regions, but those opposite don't want to talk about that. They want to talk about and make the case for reducing the ABC's independence, for reducing the funds for the ABC and for ultimately selling off the ABC. It has always been their plan, and that's why they ask questions like this. It is really important that we uphold the independence of the ABC. We are not always going to agree with what they print, we are not always going to agree with what they say, but it is very important that they are independent. If those opposite have a different policy position that they are going to put forward at the next election to change the ABC Act to make it less independent, to cut the ABC, to sell it off, then say that, be up front with the Australian people. When it comes to the cuts you are planning at the next election, the $315 billion of cuts you are planning, be up front. When it comes to the IR changes you are planning and selling off the ABC, be up front with the Australian people about what you are planning to do.