Senator CONROY (Victoria—Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Digital Productivity) (14:26): As I said earlier, Australia has traditionally been well served by media institutions. As citizens in a democracy, we rely on the media to scrutinise the actions and decisions of those in power, to hold business and political leaders to account, to reflect and contribute to our national identity— Senator Brandis: What about what you said about the Daily Telegraph? Senator CONROY: The Daily Telegraph have a democratic right to be biased and I have a democratic right to point out their bias. We need media which are independent, diverse and capable of putting the public interest above the interests of media owners, whether those are governments or private shareholders— Senator Ian Macdonald: Goebbels would be proud of you, Stephen. Senator Bob Brown: On a point of order, Mr President: that is the second time Senator Macdonald has referred to Goebbels and the minister, and I ask him to withdraw that comment. He said, 'Goebbels would be proud of you,' to the minister. I think that should be— The PRESIDENT: I have not heard those interjections, Senator Brown. Senator Bob Brown: I ask you, Mr President, to ask the member if he said that and to have it withdrawn. The PRESIDENT: I have not heard those comments. People know, if those comments are being made, that they should not be made. Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Just wait! If people find them offensive, I have asked, on a previous occasion when someone took offence at such comments—but it was the person to whom they were directed who took the offence—for the comments to be withdrawn and that was followed through. I have not heard, on this occasion, what was taking place. I am just asking people to be careful what they say within this chamber. Senator Ian Macdonald: On Senator Brown's point of order, Mr President: I am quite open in saying that I did say that Goebbels would be proud of Senator Conroy—and he would be. If Senator Conroy finds that offensive, I will withdraw it. Senator Conroy: I did not make him withdraw because I did not hear him say it. The PRESIDENT: I did not hear him say it either, but I advise people that those comments should not be made. Senator Chris Evans: On Senator Brown's point of order, Mr President— Honourable senators interjecting— The PRESIDENT: Order! On both sides! Senator Chris Evans: I am not one to be terribly precious about such things in the chamber and have engaged in vigorous debate across the chamber myself. So I do not pretend that I do not support that. But, while I think you quite rightly said that you did not hear the comment made—and neither did I—the senator, to his credit, got up and admitted to the comment. It then becomes, I think, a question for you as to whether or not it is appropriate. I think this is the second occasion where a coalition senator in the last few days has referred to senators on the crossbenches, comparing them to Nazis. I do not think that is appropriate. I do not think it is a standard this Senate should set. As I said, given that the senator informed you, Mr President, that he made those comments and that he was prepared to withdraw, I think it would be best for all concerned if the senator just withdrew. The PRESIDENT: Senator Macdonald, it will help us get ahead with question time if you withdraw. Senator Ian Macdonald: I do not know what is wrong with Senator Evans's hearing, but I did withdraw. The PRESIDENT: All right. That is withdrawn. Let's proceed. Senator CONROY: Crucially, we have asked the inquiry to investigate ways by which to substantially strengthen the independence and effectiveness of the Australian Press Council, including in relation to online publications and with particular reference, Senator Brown, to the handling of complaints. The government wishes the inquiry to report on the ability of the media— (Time expired)