In the lead-up to the decision to put media ownership reforms on hold, Mr Stokes was reportedly lobbying heavily behind the scenes, putting calls in to Mr Abbott, deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop and a range of other senior Coalition MPs.

Prime Media Group chairman John Hartigan, who was formerly the boss of News Corp Australia, said the prospect of job losses at regional TV networks including Prime and WIN was very real.

The meeting between the pair also comes after Seven last week announced the launch of a new app which will allow viewers to stream all its programs on mobile devices, regardless of where they are in the country, which regional broadcasters have attacked as evidence of Seven's "hypocrisy" because it allows the broadcaster to circumvent the 75 per cent reach rule.

Nah, Foxy...I didn't see it.

But this govt can't put a foot right. Every time they're primed to slam Shorten something else comes up.

First it was Bronnie and her chopper escapades - and today the govt is so concentrated on shrieking about a stupid tweet that aired on QandA that the Four Corner's hatchet job of Shorten isn't even trending...the QandA tweet is trending on twitter though.

When is the RC into the Ashby affair going to start?

Dear Poirot,

What a shame you didn't see it.

I would have loved to have received
your opinion on it.

It left me seriously wondering about Shorten's
character. Perhaps that was its intent.
I don't know. Either that or I'm very gullible.

doog,

Clever old you, knowing when Bill will "reply". From my observations, your man could very well be deprived of his liberty at the end of the Royal Commission.

You can take Shortens reply timing as gospel it came from the party.

How do you like Abbotts last example of how to spend tax payers money.
He booked 40 motel rooms at 250 $ each and only 12 were used. The motel was given 2 hours notice of cancelations, now the motel wants the full 40 rooms paid for, as they were turning people away because they were booked.

doog,

If, and I say IF, the complaint about short notice cancellation of the motel is correct I think it is pretty poor form on the part of the person responsible. If it was up to me, that person would be sacked. However, Abbott, for all his faults, does not book the accomodation; just as it was an idiotic hack party member who invited the Royal Commissioner to a Liberal love-in.

I must say, though, it's hard to believe that $54,000 would be involved at remote motel.

Pardon me, but I am sceptical of your information on Shorten's intentions came straight from the party; and I still believe he belongs in the Big House. I don't care how unionists speak to employers as you seem to think, but I do care if they take money from them.