Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I want to alert the chamber that I've circulated an amendment on sheet 1215. It is an amendment to the government's amendment in relation to schedule 1, item 1, page 8, proposed subsection (3)(b). It goes to this point that we've been debating here this morning in relation to significant contributions to the sustainability of the Australian news industry. I think it's fair to say that all the questions this morning have been surrounding this element. As I said, there is a concern that, unless this is specifically referenced, small, medium and regional publishers will be overlooked in that definition of the significant contribution. So all I am asking for is that we clarify that in paragraph (3)(b) with the words 'including by entering into agreements with a significant number of those businesses'—and this is the important amendment—'that include small, medium and regional organisations'. The government has said it intends to ensure that this is the case. I don't see why there would be any problem in ensuring that they are included. I urge the government to accept this amendment. It would put at ease a number of nervous organisations this morning.