Meadows later apologised for naming the individuals and withdrew the comment.

The government senator claimed that at least four commentators were "purveyors of negativity", operating under the "guise of independent political and social analysts".

The comments forced the president of the Senate to point out that the rules of the Upper House did not allow the senator to call the names of persons who did not have the opportunity to defend themselves. "Withdraw that part of your speech," Dr Harding said.

"I so withdraw, Mr President. I do apologise," Meadows responded.

Making his presentation to the State of the Nation Debate in Gordon House yesterday, Senator Meadows charged that there was a "conspiracy of negativity" against the Government. " … It smells of intellectual irresponsibility, dishonesty and wilful ignorance, and the mainstream media are complicit in this conspiracy, wittingly or unwittingly," he added.

He called on the "independent" analysts to declare their political biases, pointing out that this was practised in other media jurisdictions.