Mr EDE - 1994-06-30
My question follows on from the minister's answer to the previous question. I refer him to statements he made on the 7.30 Report on 16 June that he would discuss possible Northern Territory government sponsorship of ATV with Mr Mirchandani. Did the meeting, which was referred to in that 7.30 Report segment as being held on the next day, occur? Is the minister aware of any reason why the meeting was held with Mr Mirchandani, who is head of the news services for both ATV and Territory ABC, instead of with an ABC TV sponsorship sales representative? As ABC Sales has a sponsorship sales representative, why wasn't a meeting held with that person? Did the minister discuss any potential conflict of interest between the government's consideration of ATV's sponsorship and the reporting of events by Territory ABC Television News?
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is fantastic to suggest that Shane Stone is in a conspiracy with the ABC which I am suing in an action that is still on foot currently. The Leader of the Opposition is suggesting some kind of sinister conspiracy or plot in which potentially I traded Northern Territory government support in exchange for a soft ride from the ABC during the election. That is what you are alleging, isn't it? That is what you are getting at?
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: I never heard so much nonsense in all my life! If the Leader of the Opposition listens, he will hear the answer.
The simple facts are that, from the moment he came to Darwin, Mr Mirchandani has been speaking to a number of ministers about our position. He has maintained that contact with me over a period of some 12 months. At no time did he ever suggest, nor did I, that the Northern Territory government was anything other than favourably disposed to reassess its position in relation to Australia Television. Thus, the Leader of the Opposition's suggestion is an absolute nonsense and it reflects on the integrity of Prakash Mirchandani.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, it is fantastic to suggest that Shane Stone is in a conspiracy with the ABC which I am suing in an action that is still on foot currently. The Leader of the Opposition is suggesting some kind of sinister conspiracy or plot in which potentially I traded Northern Territory government support in exchange for a soft ride from the ABC during the election. That is what you are alleging, isn't it? That is what you are getting at?
Mr Ede interjecting.
Mr STONE: I never heard so much nonsense in all my life! If the Leader of the Opposition listens, he will hear the answer.
The simple facts are that, from the moment he came to Darwin, Mr Mirchandani has been speaking to a number of ministers about our position. He has maintained that contact with me over a period of some 12 months. At no time did he ever suggest, nor did I, that the Northern Territory government was anything other than favourably disposed to reassess its position in relation to Australia Television. Thus, the Leader of the Opposition's suggestion is an absolute nonsense and it reflects on the integrity of Prakash Mirchandani.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2016