Ludlam: Change in comms ministry unlikely

Conroy’s position secured by sensitive negotiations.

The Australian Greens have welcomed new Prime Minister Julia Gillard, voicing hopes to work with her on issues like the internet filtering proposal and climate change.

Communications spokesperson Senator Scott Ludlam told iTnews this afternoon that the change in Labor leadership would likely have a positive effect on IT issues in parliament.

But a change in Communications Ministers is "really unlikely", he said, due to difficulties in handing over the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy (DBCDE) while significant, sensitive Telstra and NBN Co dealings take place.

Earlier today, Gillard announced her intention to make changes to the cabinet and ministerial positions and draw more heavily on the efforts of her colleagues in her role.

Some in the industry have speculated that a front-bench reshuffle may see Canberra Senator Kate Lundy replacing Stephen Conroy as Minister of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

Lundy was one of the first Labor senators to voice her support for Gillard last night. In the Senate today, she faced Opposition senators on Labor's commitment to improving connectivity and bandwidth.

A preliminary list of the Gillard Ministry has been published on the parliamentary website, with much unchanged besides Gillard's listing as Prime Minister.

Lindsay Tanner, who today announced that he won't contest the next federal election, appears on the list as Finance Minister. Stephen Conroy appears as head of the DBCDE.

Ludlam said he hoped the new Labor Government would reconsider its stance on issues like the privatisation of NBN Co and ISP-level internet filtering.

"I think it's [the leadership spill] probably going to be quite positive," he said. "I think it's a good opportunity for the Government to abandon the Net filter."

The DBCDE has not yet responded to iTnews' request for comment.