Portfolio — 21 August 2026

The Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services, Dr Mulino, advanced two significant policy measures in the House on 20 August, extending the portfolio's reform agenda from renewable energy tax incentives to media sustainability through a news bargaining incentive. Both measures build on the superannuation reform Dr Mulino announced on 19 August, broadening the portfolio's reach across tax, energy and communications policy domains.

**Renewable energy tax discount extension**

Dr Mulino moved a government amendment to the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Accountability for Tax) bill replacing the 1 July 2030 sunset date with 1 July 2040 in Schedule 3, item 1, extending the 50 percent discount for eligible foreign-resident disposals of renewable energy assets to 30 June 2040 [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s035]. He said the extension recognises the long construction and development phases of renewable infrastructure and the importance of foreign investment for Australia's net-zero transition [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s035].

He argued the 2040 timeline balances fairness in the tax system with continued foreign investment in renewables [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s035]. The minister thanked the members for Warringah, Curtin and Kooyong, the senators, and the Greens for constructive discussion. He acknowledged the Member for Mackellar for proposing a similar 2040 extension amendment and withdrawing it to enable the government's version.

He noted the government also supports renewable investment through the Capacity Investment Scheme and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.

**News bargaining incentive**

In Question Time, Dr Mulino announced a news bargaining incentive giving digital platforms a choice to negotiate fair commercial deals with Australian news publishers rather than withdraw news content [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s153]. The reform aims to increase the number and geographic spread of commercial deals, with stronger incentives for platforms to reach agreements with small, medium, regional and diverse publishers [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s153].

A 20 percent loading applies for small and diverse publishers, and funds are allocated based on the number of journalists employed. If a platform refuses to make a deal, the government will pass all monies collected back to news organisations through the News Journalism Payments Bill [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s153]. The minister thanked the opposition, crossbench, Greens and the Minister for Communications for constructive engagement and noted the legislation has passed the Senate.

He acknowledged the Prime Minister's leadership on the policy and thanked the Minister for Communications for partnership, linking the Treasury and Communications portfolios on this measure [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s153].

**Procedural business**

Dr Mulino moved that the bill be read a third time, which the House agreed to [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s036]. He moved that Ms Chaney be appointed a member of the Joint Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence, which was agreed to [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s084]. He moved that the amendment be agreed to, and the Speaker recorded the amendment as agreed [TA-260820-house-7e3fe583b6fb:s085].

**Synthesis**

Both the renewable energy tax amendment and the news bargaining incentive reflect the portfolio's approach of using targeted fiscal mechanisms to drive policy outcomes — foreign investment in renewables on one hand, and fair commercial arrangements for journalism on the other. The measures extend the reform agenda Dr Mulino has advanced since the superannuation reform announced on 19 August, broadening the portfolio's reach from financial services into energy and media policy.

The crossbench cooperation on the renewable energy amendment — with the Member for Mackellar withdrawing a competing proposal — and the bipartisan engagement on the news bargaining incentive both signal a legislative environment receptive to the portfolio's current direction.