Evidence (Journalists) Amendment Bill | Second Reading
19/11/2014
The Hon. K.L. VINCENT: As the Hon. Mr Darley has pointed out, this bill is basically a reincarnation (if I may call it that) of his bill. We supported the Hon. Mr Darley’s bill and we will support this bill for the same reasons. We, like the Hon. Mr Darley, were extremely disappointed to see a minority in the lower house collude to block this very important piece of legislation. We also believe it is important, particularly in this day and age where the definition of what arguably constitutes a journalist is ever expanding, with increasing access to technology. Therefore, people are increasingly taking up their responsibility and their opportunity to have a voice in the media and it is increasingly important that we protect those people in order to have balanced and truthful journalism.
So, we strongly support the bill, no matter which member is putting it forward, and we will continue to do so until we see it pass. Finally, I again reiterate that we are bitterly disappointed the government does not support the bill. We have to ask ourselves, and I think the government sincerely needs to ask itself, why it will not and what it has to hide.
