Jane Hume (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy) Share this | Hansard source

I thank Senator Antic for his question. The media bargaining code is a world-leading framework to address the fundamental bargaining power imbalance between Australian news businesses and the major digital platforms, Google and Facebook. The Morrison government has always maintained that the ideal outcome is for news media businesses and digital platforms to reach commercial deals. We welcome Google signing deals with Nine, with Seven West Media and with small publisher Junkee. Additionally, our legislation has led Google to sign a global deal with News Corp that will include not just Australian publications but also those in the US and the UK, a sign that our legislation is, in fact, world leading. But we know that without the threat of the code and its binding final-offer arbitration, there would be no deals at all.

In stark contrast to Google, Facebook has, disappointingly, chosen to block Australian news and information services on its site. Facebook will need to think very carefully about what this means for its reputation and its standing. It seems that Facebook is taking a decision to remove credible news sources from its platform, callously booting community and public health organisations off the platform in that process. Basically, it's saying to Australians, 'If you're looking for credible news then Facebook is not the place to look for it.' The government has consistently said that we wish Facebook and Google to remain operating in Australia. But we also expect them, at all times, to comply with laws that have been passed by the democratically elected parliament of Australia and, indeed, with bipartisan support for that legislation.