The federal government’s confidence levels around passing its proposed media reform package have been given a boost, with Communications Minister Mitch Fifield to meet with the Greens and Greens and the One Nation Party this week to talk turkey.
Fifield is set to meet for negotiations with senators from both parties ahead of a debate around the reform package in the Senate on Wednesday, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The government needs to only sway one of the parties on its proposed media ownership laws to get them passed, which have already drawn widespread support from media bosses and the industry generally.
The AFR understands that the Greens want safeguards put in place to protect media diversity in Australia, and are supportive of tax incentives for journalism.
However, the minor party is not a fan of the ‘two out of three’ rule being removed over fears that Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation could consolidate even more.
Meanwhile, One Nation has called for a slew of changes to garner its support, including slashing the ABC’s annual budget.
“Senate colleagues, apart from Labor, are involved in active discussions with the government on media reform,” Fifield told the AFR.
“It is independent and minor party colleagues who are prepared to constructively engage, while Labor posture and seek to frustrate.”
Last month, Fifield slammed the Labor party for refusing to support the government’s media reforms, saying the opposition was “stuck in the past”.
