THE HON MARK DREYFUS KC MP
ATTORNEY-GENERAL
CABINET SECRETARY
MEMBER FOR ISAACS
Media Roundtable
Canberra
Monday, 28 February 2023
OPENING REMARKS
All of us here were shocked by the 2019 search warrants against the ABC and the home of Annika Smethurst.
I think that journalists should never face the prospect of being charged just for doing their jobs and there is agreement across the Parliament and indeed the community that improved protections are overdue.
Unlike the former government which ignored not one, but two separate bipartisan committee reports, the Albanese Government intends to progress press freedom and protection of press freedom.
Today’s discussions with the people at the frontline of this debate – the journalists, and the people who represent, defend, and publish them – is a crucial first step towards ensuring we get these reforms right.
So, thank you all for coming.
I’m looking forward to a full and frank discussion about press freedom issues in Australia and further options for reform because a strong and independent media matters.
Thanks very much.
ENDS
