MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS ANIKA WELLS: The Albanese Government continues to back a strong and vibrant media sector. Across Australia, free-to-air TV and radio continues to inform and entertain us in our homes, in our cars and in our workplaces.

They provide a platform for local stories and local voices, and they do not need a paid subscription. But the media landscape is shifting rapidly, and commercial broadcasters are facing financial pressures never experienced before.

So, for this reason, the Albanese Government will extend the suspension of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax for another two years. It will save broadcasters an estimated $111.3 million and put that into the programs and talents that Australians love.

In the meantime, we will continue to work with free-to-air broadcasters to make them match-fit for the future.

The Albanese Government is backing journalists through our $153 million News Media Assistance Program, and we are progressing the News Bargaining Incentive to make sure that journalists get their fair share from tech companies.

We want local stories on our TV and radio stations through our local communities. We are protecting free free-to-air TV and radio. And we are making sure that Australians don't have to pay to enjoy their favourite programs or stories.

Happy to take any questions.

JOURNALIST: Minister, Free TV had been advocating for the CBT to be abolished in entirety. Why was that route not chosen on this occasion?

WELLS: So, we've chosen a two-year suspension because we believe that strikes the right balance between the uncertain and difficult economic climate that free-to-air finds itself in, while also signalling that this was introduced as a temporary measure, it should be concluded eventually, and it gives us two years to continue to work on the questions around the future of TV in a spectrum environment.

JOURNALIST: Minister, on the bargaining incentive, the White House last week described your plans as a form of foreign extortion. Have you had any feedback from the White House and any more feedback from the tech companies since you announced your plans last week?

WELLS: I have not. And like I said a week ago when we made that announcement, it was an announcement that really wouldn't have surprised anybody. It's something that the Albanese Government has long signalled, long supported, and we make no apologies for taking what steps is necessary to make news media sustainable in our country.

JOURNALIST: It’s your position that there should be some form of tax on broadcasting similar to the Commercial Broadcasting Tax in perpetuity. Why should this tax continue beyond the two-year freeze?

WELLS: It's due to wrap up in June. We're going to extend the suspension for another two years. Like I said, that's because we have already been working with free-to-air on what spectrum looks like. They've indicated to us that they're going to be able to reduce their usage of spectrum. That allows us to free up that important national resource to better set up TV and other parts of the communications portfolio that uses Spectrum. So it kind of buys us two years to continue to do that important work and give a better signal about where TV is going, but it also gives two years more relief to free-to-air broadcasters who are experiencing significant financial impact at the moment.

JOURNALIST: Minister, it's almost six months since the social media age restrictions took effect. When might we start to see compliance action being taken against some of the social media companies that reports are suggesting are not doing- and the eSafety Commission has suggested they’re not doing as much as they could to stop young people getting online on both sides?

WELLS: Yes. As I provided that update in the Blue Room last sitting week, we are working with eSafety but it ultimately is a question for the eSafety Commissioner about when she chooses to go to court because essentially, that is the next step, going to the Federal Court and asking for the Federal Court to issue fines. So we gave, in the interests of proper transparency, a really comprehensive update on how compliance is going and, like I said at the time, I'm completely dissatisfied with where Big Tech is up to in terms of its compliance obligations. I would have fined them in December if I'd had my way. That’s why it's not up to me. It’s up to the eSafety Commissioner.

JOURNALIST: Just in terms of your dealings with Big Tech, how are you finding having to go to them on this issue, on the Bargaining Code, on all of these various things the Government is looking to regulate? Do you get the sense that moving on all these issues all at once is making it more difficult, or are you able to compartmentalise in your talks with them?

WELLS: I meet with them constantly. We always discuss a range of topics. I agree that this is a fast-moving space, and I think – certainly what I hear very clearly from Australians when I do mobile offices or when I visit people around the country – is that there's a sense of helplessness about how fast this is moving and how little control Australians feel over Big Tech in their households. So I try to do my bit as the Comms Minister to regulate where it is important and impactful to do so.

JOURNALIST: But the broadcast, this tax extension for two years, was there any discussion or thoughts of scrapping it all together?

WELLS: We could have scrapped it all together. We could have extended it indefinitely. We've chosen to land a two-year suspension. That is what Free TV as the peak, the free-to-air broadcasters asked of the Government. So, in essence, we are granting their wish. Like I said, I think it strikes the balance between signalling this isn't going to endure forever. This is going to turn off at some point. It was introduced as a temporary measure, albeit by a previous government. But in recognition of the financial circumstances that they find themselves and in recognition of the important work that they do to provide local stories to Australians for free, we’ll keep it suspended for two weeks.

JOURNALIST: Minister, have you had any update on the IPEA audit of your expenses?

WELLS: Like the last update I gave, I'd spent the summer going back and forth with IPEA. They ask questions, we provide answers. They ask for documents, we provide them. We're still in that process, and I await their final report.

JOURNALIST: In your discussions with Free TV ahead of the CBT change that you announced today, how much did they advocate in terms of the looming revenue shortfall they might experience with the gambling restrictions that you're introducing? I mean, how much did that come up in conversation?

WELLS: Well, I think you can probably read the Free TV Budget submission- I think you can read most stakeholder Budget submissions. They make themselves available to the fourth estate in the run-up to Budget. No, this is very much about – and like you heard the Prime Minister, Minister Mulino, and I speak of at length in the PM's Courtyard last week – we are very worried about the sustainability of news media in this country. It is an invaluable place in upholding Australian democracy. Australians, especially in a cost-of-living crisis, need to be able to see these things for free. We need local stories told by locals themselves. This is another measure that we are announcing today to try and make sure that that happens.