News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026

Ms WELLS (Lilley—Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications) (11:53): The government does not support the proposed amendments moved by the member for Curtin to the News Media Bargaining (Administration) Bill 2026. Many MPs on both sides of the House have highlighted the important role that public interest journalism plays in a healthy democracy and, in particular, the valuable work of small and special interest publishers.

That's why we strongly believe the bill strikes the right balance to support the sustainability of new publishers, including small and regional publishers, with the continued provision of trusted public interest journalism and the employment of journalists in Australia. Specifically for smaller publishers, the bill includes the requirement for platforms to enter at least eight commercial agreements to offset their liability under the charge and a 200 per cent weighting on commercial deals for small or medium-sized businesses.

For this reason, the government does not support the proposed amendments moved by the member for Curtin. Question negatived.