Defiant minister Stephen Conroy sticks to media reform deadline Australia's pay TV industry has joined the attacks on the govt's media reforms, branding them unnecessary. Government legislation implementing changes to the nation's media laws are being introduced to parliament. Senator Stephen Conroy in parliament this week. Picture: Kym Smith. COMMUNICATIONS Minister Stephen Conroy is refusing to back away from his "take it or leave it" deadline for passage of his media reforms, saying the debate over the policy has dragged on too long. Senator Conroy is demanding the bill pass the parliament by the end of next week or the reforms will be junked. The approach is in stark contrast to his position in 2006, when he accused the former Howard government of a "disgraceful" attempt to "gag" debate because it restricted an inquiry on its media bills to three weeks. Senator Conroy today denied he was seeking to fast-track his media bills to prevent a prolonged war with media proprietors. He said the reports underpinning the bills had received hundreds of submissions and been the subject of hours of public consultation. "For people to suggest that there hasn't been an effective debate about this around the country, they're just ignoring the facts," he told ABC radio. The bills are there, people have been aware of the policy issues, we're having discussions with all of the minor parties, and we're in a position where the vote will be next week. Labor is losing ground in its fight to overhaul the media as independent MPs turn against the plans and critics warn of growing confusion over changes meant to be rammed through parliament in a week. Regional NSW MP Tony Windsor yesterday said the reforms would "struggle" unless the deadline was changed. Former Labor MP Craig Thomson says he will vote against the bills, while independent Rob Oakeshott has expressed reservations. Queensland MP Bob Katter has also indicated he cannot accept the current bill on press regulation. Tasmanian independent Andrew Wilkie has expressed concern about the freedom of the press and there was no change in his public stance after he met Senator Conroy yesterday. Labor has 71 votes in the lower house and appears to have the support of ex-Liberal MP Peter Slipper and could gain support from Greens MP Adam Bandt. Labor could prevail if it gained the support of Mr Oakeshott and Mr Windsor, giving it 75 votes. The Coalition has 71 votes, but would have to sacrifice one to cancel out Mr Thomson, whose vote it refuses to accept. Kim Williams, chief executive of News Limited, publisher of The Australian, has renewed his attack on the government's proposals, including Senator Conroy's timetable. "It is hard to believe the minister is demanding parliament has only a few days to consider over 200 pages of what is very far-reaching and deeply flawed legislation," he said in a statement.