Media release - Free TV pushes its needs in Canberra

Melissa McIntosh MP 
Shadow Minister for Communications 
Shadow Minister for Women 
Federal Member for Lindsay 

1 September 2025 

Free TV pushes its needs in Canberra 

Shadow Minister for Communications, Melissa McIntosh MP will this week meet with Free TV Australia and chief executives of commercial television networks to discuss their demands of the Albanese Labor Government. 

The lack of action across the Communications space in recent years by the Albanese Government is leading to uncertainty for local broadcasters, leaving them to call on the government to axe the Commercial Broadcasting Tax, deliver the News Bargaining Incentive, construct a position on gambling advertising, extend production offsets and support regional media.  

Free to air television plays an important role in ensuring communities across the nation have access to local news, sport and Australian drama. 

Eliminating the Commercial Broadcasting Tax is number one on the list of wants from our local television companies. The government has provided a one-year extension of the suspension of the tax, but the industry is unsure what will happen next financial year. Television networks also want to know what Labor’s stance is on gambling advertising and when the News Bargaining Incentive will be consulted on and be in effect.  

“The Albanese Labor Government must listen to the calls from Free TV Australia and its members about what they need to continue to provide quality Australian produced content to audiences right across the country,” Mrs McIntosh said.  

“Labor must confirm whether it will remove the Commercial Broadcasting Tax, so the industry has certainty moving forward. 

“In addition, it has been more than two years since the landmark Murphy Report into gambling. The Prime Minister said the status quo on gambling advertising is untenable, despite his government continuing to kick a decision on live sport gambling advertising and the News Bargaining Incentive into offside for far too long.   

“As a supporter of free to air television, we need this source of broadcasting to continue so Australians can access local news, drama and sport in their own home free of cost. 

“Broadcast television is a must for regional Australia given the poor internet access in rural and remote areas. 

“Many sport lovers, particularly the Penrith Panthers fans I represent, want to see sport and nationally significant cultural content free to air.”