US tech lobby lashes out at new media bargaining scheme

Reactions to the government’s consultation document on the proposed news bargaining incentive are starting to come in, and US tech lobby groups are not happy about it.

Multiple Washington-based trade associations have warned that the stimulus is inconsistent with Australia’s free trade commitments with the US, and a lobby group has warned US President Donald Trump could move to “retaliate” if the offer is not withdrawn.

The incentive is Labour’s proposed method of preventing tech platforms from evading existing news media bargaining rules by withdrawing news from their services.