Historic media reform strides forward

The government’s landmark bill is approved by the party room and backbench as media executives head for Canberra.

The government is seeking to abolish the reach rule, which prevents mergers between metropolitan and regional free-to-air broadcasters. Picture: AAP/ Mick Tsikas.

The Turnbull government’s historic media reform package has been approved by the party room and a newly formed backbench committee, as the industry’s leading executives prepare to descend on the nation’s capital.

The Coalition put the bill to the communications backbench committee and party room today, as revealed byThe Australian, and it will be reintroduced when the new parliament sits tomorrow or on Wednesday.

The government is seeking to abolish the reach rule, which prevents mergers between metropolitan and regional free-to-air broadcasters, and the two-out-of-three cross media ownership law.

The news comes as a raft of media executives prepare to meet with key politicians and crossbenchers in Canberra, and to attend the Midwinter Ball on Wednesday.

It is understood Seven West Media chief executive Tim Worner, Foxtel boss Peter Tonagh, Nine Entertainment boss Hugh Marks, Prime Media Group chief Ian Audsley and WIN Corporation chief Andrew Lancaster, among others, will travel to Canberra this week.

Regional free-to-air broadcasters, Southern Cross Austereo, Prime and WIN, will present to politicians as a united front after jointly funding the Save Our Voices reform campaign last year.

Sources said the regional broadcasters were planning to meet with cross benchers, Nick Xenophon, Pauline Hanson and Derryn Hinch, although meetings are yet to be locked in, given the vast array of minsters and stakeholders also keen to meet with the powerful senators.