Bill Debate · Second Reading

News Journalism Payments Bill 2026, News Journalism Payments (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026, News Media Bargaining Charge Bill 2026, Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media Bargaining) (Consequential) Bill 2026; Second Reading

Senate · Thursday 20 August 2026

Official Hansard for this day (APH) · Read this debate on OpenAustralia

At a glance

The Senate debated a package of bills establishing a News Bargaining Incentive to address the imbalance between digital platforms and Australian news publishers. The government argued the legislation encourages commercial deals while ensuring platforms contribute to journalism sustainability, with funds distributed based on journalist numbers. Opposition members supported the principle of holding platforms accountable but criticised the delay in implementation and the exclusion of AI companies. One Liberal senator opposed the bills, arguing they subsidise legacy media incumbents rather than fostering market competition. The debate concluded with the motion for second reading being interrupted.

Outcome

The debate was interrupted before a vote was taken.

Summary in reported speech - not a transcript. AI-generated, so check the official record before quoting.

How the debate unfolded

Opened the debate

Murray Watt (QLD) (Australian Labor Party) ALP

Watt moved the second reading of the bills, explaining that the News Bargaining Incentive aims to encourage commercial agreements between digital platforms and news publishers. Watt stated that if platforms refuse to negotiate, they will face a charge based on Australian digital advertising revenue, with all proceeds returned to the news sector via the News Journalism Payment Scheme. Watt highlighted that payments would be formula-based, tied to the number of journalists employed, with a 20 per cent uplift for regional, remote, and diverse community outlets. Watt noted that five per cent of revenue would be allocated to grants for small publishers and start-ups, and another five per cent to the Australian Associated Press.

Sarah Henderson (VIC) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Henderson stated the coalition supports a strong news sector but criticised the government for abandoning the previous bargaining code and delaying resolution for over two years. Henderson welcomed the increased charge rate of 2.75 per cent and the requirement for platforms to secure at least eight commercial deals to offset liabilities. Henderson expressed concern about the government's track record on media grants and called for expanded definitions of editorial staff to include opinion writers.
Charlotte Walker (SA) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Walker argued that the legislation addresses the financial pressures on newsrooms caused by the shift of advertising revenue to global tech companies. Walker explained that the incentive structure encourages platforms to negotiate deals, with enhanced offsets for agreements with small and medium publishers. Walker emphasised that the payment scheme supports journalists directly, including those in regional areas and diverse communities, to maintain editorial capacity and combat misinformation.
Sarah Hanson-Young (SA) (Australian Greens) Greens mixed

Hanson-Young supported the bills as a step towards sustaining public interest journalism but criticised the failure to address artificial intelligence companies using journalistic content without payment. Hanson-Young moved an amendment acknowledging the gap regarding AI platforms and calling for urgent consultation on pathways to ensure these companies pay for the work they use. Hanson-Young argued that defending journalism is essential for democracy and warned against the influence of big tech and right-wing forces undermining press freedom.
Kerrynne Liddle (SA) (Liberal Party) Liberal support

Liddle stated the coalition supports the new incentive scheme but blamed the government for the delay in resolving the impasse after Meta withdrew from the previous code. Liddle highlighted that the 2.75 per cent charge and the 25 per cent pre-deal offset cap are positive features that protect against concentration of funds. Liddle noted that AI platforms are currently excluded from the scheme and urged the government to hold big tech accountable for revenue measurement.
Tammy Tyrrell (TAS) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Tyrrell argued that the bills fix the bargaining imbalance by incentivising commercial agreements or imposing a charge on platforms profiting from Australian news. Tyrrell welcomed the allocation of funds based on journalist numbers and the specific support for small publishers and regional outlets through grants and uplifts. Tyrrell commended the work of the Minister for Communications and Assistant Treasurer in navigating the complex legislation.
Alex Antic (SA) (Liberal Party) Liberal oppose

Antic spoke against the bills, arguing they act as a subsidy for legacy media incumbents rather than supporting genuine public interest journalism. Antic claimed the legislation protects an industry that is declining by insulating it from market signals and does not ensure funds are spent on actual journalism. Antic suggested that the internet has diversified public debate and that the government should encourage innovation rather than engineering bailouts for established media companies.
Josh Dolega (TAS) (Australian Labor Party) ALP support

Dolega emphasised the vital role of journalists in holding governments to account and providing reliable information for democratic decision-making. Dolega stated that the incentive bills encourage platforms to enter into commercial agreements with Australian news businesses to reduce their liability. Dolega argued that the legislation supports independent, diverse, and locally produced news, which is essential for community cohesion and scrutiny of power.