The Australian government has announced plans to impose multimillion-dollar charges on major technology companies unless they strike deals to pay local media organisations for news content on their platforms.
Under a proposed News Bargaining Incentive, companies including Meta, Google, and TikTok could face a 2.25% tax on their local revenues if they fail to reach agreements with Australian news publishers.
Communications Minister Anika Wells said the policy is intended to ensure that digital platforms contribute fairly to journalism, as more users consume news through social media and search engines.
“People are increasingly getting their news directly from Facebook, from TikTok and from Google, and we believe it’s only fair that large digital platforms contribute to the hard work of journalism that enriches their feeds and that drives their revenue,” she said.
She added that companies that refuse to negotiate deals would ultimately pay more under the proposed system.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese defended the policy, stressing that the government would act in the country’s national interest despite possible opposition from the United States.
The levy, expected to take effect from the 2025–2026 financial year, will apply to digital platforms generating more than A$250 million in annual revenue in Australia.
Funds collected under the scheme would be channelled to media organisations, with allocations linked to newsroom employment levels.
Major Australian media outlets have welcomed the proposal, describing it as a necessary step to sustain journalism, while tech companies have criticised the move, with Meta arguing that the policy amounts to a digital services tax.
The proposed framework is expected to replace earlier legislation introduced in 2021, which required tech firms to pay for news content but has since been deemed ineffective.
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