News media bargaining incentive passes Australian parliament
( August 20, 2026, 04:49 GMT | Official Statement) -- MLex Summary: The News Media Bargaining Incentive, designed to impose a tax-like charge on major digital platforms unless they enter into or renew commercial deals with Australian news outlets, passed parliament on Thursday. In a joint statement, Communications Minister Anika Wells and Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino said the incentive fixes a loophole in the News Media Bargaining Code that allowed a digital platform to withdraw news from its services and avoid obligations under the code. The passage of the legislation follows government amendments to several key provisions, including an increase in the number of deals needed to fully offset the charge. Under the new rules, large social-media and search companies will be required either to sign funding deals with Australian news businesses or pay a 2.5 percent charge on their Australian digital-advertising revenue.Statement follows.SUPPORT FOR AUSTRALIAN JOURNALISM PASSES PARLIAMENT...
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