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Senator Hanson said she was genuinely concerned for the media industry's future. (ABC News: Jed Cooper)
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has announced
"conditional support" for the Federal Government's shake-up of media
ownership and regulation.
Key points:
- Reforms scrap 'reach rule' preventing one TV broadcaster from reaching more than 75pc of the population
- One Nation supports changes in exchange for greater transparency of ABC staff wages
- With Labor, Greens opposing, reform will come down to Nick Xenophon
That support may end months of political deadlock with Labor and the Greens opposed to the changes, claiming they would only weaken media diversity.
Senator Hanson said her party would back the measures because the Coalition had agreed to investigate the ABC's balance, its commitment to regional areas, and order the public broadcaster to be more transparent about its wages.
The Coalition wants to scrap measures such as the so-called "two out of three" rule, which prevents a company owning a TV station, newspaper and radio station in the one licence area.
It would also end the "reach rule", which prevents a single TV station from reaching more than 75 per cent of the population.
In a statement, Senator Hanson said she had a "hot and cold relationship" with the media, but was genuinely concerned for the industry's future.
"One Nation has been at the forefront calling for more transparency of wages at the ABC," she said.
"We have received assurances from the Government that they will be asking the ABC to start providing details of the wages and conditions of all staff, whose wages and allowances are greater than $200,000, similar to what is being implement by the British Broadcasting Corporation [BBC]."
The BBC was forced to publish the names and salaries of its highest-earning actors and presenters, unleashing a national debate about fame, gender, race and the use of taxpayers' money.
The executives of more than 20 media companies met in Canberra earlier this year urging the Government to change restrictions they described as "outdated" and "irrelevant".
Deal depends on funding for public broadcasters
The Government is continuing to negotiate with all political parties and the crossbench about the media laws, despite reaching a deal with One Nation.If Labor and the Greens remain opposed to the changes, the legislation's fate could be decided by South Australian senator Nick Xenophon, who controls three votes in the Upper House.
Greens leader Richard Di Natale said earlier yesterday his support for the media changes would be contingent on more funding for the ABC and SBS.
"To get our support, what we need to see is an increase in funding for the ABC and SBS," he said.
"We need to see more support for independent, public interest journalism, we want Australian stories to be told."
Senator Hanson said the Government had agreed to spend an extra $12 million on community radio initiatives.
"I have always been a big supporter of community radio, we need to ensure that Australian communities, both regional and city have access to a diverse and independent voice," she said in a statement.
"More often than not community radio is that voice, so it is vitally important that they are supported and well-funded."
But Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said the One Nation deal would "take an axe to the ABC's iview program".
"I think this is an attack on the ABC and SBS and the rights of taxpayers to see the content of the ABC online," she said.
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