Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has announced its in-principle support for the government's bill to relax cross-media ownership rules, in exchange for concessions including an inquiry into whether the ABC competes unfairly with commercial rivals and measures to ensure its impartiality.
The government bill would abolish the 75% reach rule and the 'two-out-of-three' rule, which currently prevent media companies from owning certain combinations of assets. One Nation leader Pauline Hanson said the government had agreed to ask the ABC to publish details of all staff salaries above $200,000, similar to a BBC requirement, and to legislate a requirement for the ABC to be 'fair' and 'balanced'.
The government will also undertake a competitive neutrality inquiry into the ABC and SBS, examining whether they adversely affect commercial rivals through practices such as paying for ads on search engines or competing for sports broadcast rights. Additionally, the ABC charter will be amended to focus on regional Australia and to consult an advisory council on the regions.
Shadow communications minister Michelle Rowland labelled the deal 'a direct assault on the independence of our public broadcasters', while the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance accused the government of succumbing to One Nation's baiting. The Greens are continuing to negotiate with the government, seeking greater protection and funding for the ABC and SBS.
