Labor ‘determined’ to enforce media rules on tech giants despite tariff risk

Australia’s chief diplomat says Labor will not budge on a key issue affecting US tech giants despite concerns of backlash from the White House.

The Albanese government is “determined” to enforce rules compelling tech firms to pay Australian media for content consumed on their platforms despite concerns of backlash from the White House.

Canada this week axed a digital services tax that would have slugged the likes of Meta and Google with billions in duties, clearing the way to restart trade talks with the US.

Australia’s media bargaining code affects US tech titans more because they own most major digital platforms – a similarity with Canada’s case.

Against a backdrop of US tariffs slapped on Australian products, Foreign Minister Penny Wong said on Thursday (AEST) Labor had no intention of changing the code.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong (left) met with US State Secretary Marco Rubio in Washington this week. Picture: NewsWire Handout

“We’re determined to continue with this policy framework,” she told Sky News from Washington.

“This is not a revenue-raising exercise.

“It really does go to enabling content for consumers and ensuring that journalists and content creators have appropriate remuneration, and that is an important thing for any democracy

but also paying the fair share of tax.”

Pressed on the challenge of taxing multinationals, Senator Wong vowed to “take an approach on taxation that we believe is in our national interests”.

“Obviously, there are always people with different views,” she said.

“We believe in a reasonable tax system, and that’s what we’ll continue to implement.”

Senator Wong was in Washington this week for a summit with her Quad counterparts.

She had a one-on-one with US State Secretary Marco Rubio, with both spruiking the strength of the Australia-US relationship.

But Senator Wong was hard-pressed to name any tangible outcomes from the talks.

More to come

Originally published as Labor ‘determined’ to enforce media rules on tech giants despite tariff risk