Civil Penalties and Reporting Obligations for News Media Bargaining Scheme Recipients
News Journalism Payments Bill 2026
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Topics
corporate transparency financial reporting journalism media funding news media public disclosure
Introduced by: The Hon Anika Wells MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Treasury Secretary can deny payments if there is a significant risk the money won't be used for capacity retention; this includes risks to the scheme's integrity.
Payment recipients face civil penalties for failing to provide reports within three months of a reporting period; they also face a 60 penalty unit (2026: $21,840) fine for failing to keep records.
The Commonwealth can recover overpayments as a debt due to the government.
The Treasury Secretary must publish recipient names, ABNs, and payment amounts on the Department's website within one month of a payment period.
Corporations can apply for payments if they are registered and endorsed as a news business corporation.
Payment recipients must maintain an editorial capacity equal to or greater than their approved claim to avoid a capacity retention shortfall.
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Anika Wells ALP
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Introduction Journalism matters. It matters to our democracy, to the health and cohesion of our communities, and to Australians who rely on trusted reporting to understand what is happening locally, nationally and around the world. But quality journalism does not happen on its own.”