Senator Conroy resignation may boost media reform bill
Former Communications Minister has been against the removal of the "two out of three" rule, proposed by the govt.
- Published by David Knox
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- Filed under News
The surprise resignation of former Minister for Communications Stephen Conroy may help clear a hurdle in media reform proposals.
The Victorian Labor senator has been against the removal of the “two out of three” rule, which prevents media companies from owning a newspaper, TV station and radio network in the same market.
The Australian Financial Review reports media executives believe Senator Conroy’s resignation is the removal of a significant roadblock to getting the government’s changes over the line. Sources within the government suggested negotiations with Labor will be easier without Conroy in parliament.
The Turnbull government reintroduced its media reform bill to Parliament nearly three weeks ago.
Senator Conroy was minister for broadband, communications and the digital economy under the previous Labor government, announcing the NBN and redrafting the Anti-Siphoning List.
He said he was resigning to spend more time with his daughter.
3 Responses
No love for Conroy, with his history of the internet filter list.
Government has got to get with the times of cross media ownership, you can guarantee that if there’s no commercial viability it will not happen anyway.
Even with Stephen gone I can’t see the Labor Party letting Rupert get 3 out of 3. Stephen’s memoirs will be interesting reading.