What was debated in Parliament
Summarised using AI from the official Hansard transcript of the debate only. It is not a record of the debate and may leave things out. Read the Hansard below to check it.
This bill sets up how the news bargaining incentive will run. Large digital platforms with big search or social media services would face a charge based on their Australian digital advertising revenue, which they can reduce by making deals with Australian news businesses. The debate focused on crossbench amendments meant to help small, local and independent publishers.
Arguments made in support
The government said platforms that benefit from Australian news should make a fair contribution, and should not avoid this by removing news.
The government said any money raised goes back to the news sector, and it is not about raising revenue.
The government said requiring deals with at least eight news groups, and a 200 per cent weighting for small and medium publishers, supports media diversity.
Crossbench members supported the bill's aim of fixing a gap in the earlier bargaining code.
Arguments made against, or for changes
Kate Chaney moved amendments to require a share of deal spending go to publishers earning under $20 million, and to widen grant access for small outlets.
Dai Le moved an amendment so no two news groups could receive more than half of a platform's deal spending.
Allegra Spender moved amendments so deals struck with coalitions of small publishers clearly count, and raised concern there was no Senate inquiry.
Crossbench members argued that, without changes, most money could flow to the largest media companies. The government opposed the amendments and they did not pass.
12 speeches by 8 members in the House over 2 sitting days.
Hansard: House of Representatives, 13 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Hansard: House of Representatives, 19 Aug 2026 ›
The official Hansard (PDF), Parliament of Australia
Every party member who voted went with the majority of their party.