Media Release

KAP Leader and Federal Member for Kennedy Bob Katter today confirmed he will not support the current media reform package while the Public Interest Media Advocate is appointed by the Federal Government, proposing instead that an independent people's panel be formed representing various people of Australia.

“The current Governments reforms are rushed and poorly constructed,” Mr Katter announced in Canberra following lengthy negotiations.

“PIMA is dead. We will not vote for any legislation that includes a hopeless, toothless watchdog when the Government is holding the leash.

“While there are some elements of the media in Australia that believe there should be no judge or jury - and that they should be the executioner - we won’t stand for Caesar judging Caesar.

“This watchdog must be entirely separate body and kept at an arm’s length from Government. We are proposing a people’s watchdog, not a corporate’s lap dog.

"There needs to be independent commissioner elected by the people for the people. And if the Government is serious about this, and weren't just using these bills as an instrument to bash up the media for their own political purposes, then they would naturally support this proposal."

Mr Katter added that under the current laws, decent and hardworking Australians and journalists had no protection against media concentration.

“If reforms in this area do not go ahead, there will be such concentration of media power that democracy will become a joke," he warned.

Mr Katter has proposed that a 12 person panel be established to elect three Commissioners to create a “people’s watchdog” to represent and protect members of the public and journalists – particularly those showing courage under difficult circumstances.

“Australians should have the opportunity to put forth names to be selected by the Council for the Order of Australia. This is the same democratic process used by the Council when outstanding Australian citizens are recognised for their community work through an Order of Australia."

Mr Katter said that the panel members should comprise three from the Australian journalists’ association, three from the Australian Press Council, and the remaining six representing retirees, eminent journalists, academia, jurists, employees and business owner-operators.

“Information for Australians should only be governed by Australians,” said Mr Katter.