JOSH FRYDENBERG:
…today we’ve seen an announcement. I spoke to Mr. Zuckerberg and…
QUESTION:
Treasurer, would you agree with your Government colleagues that Facebook is trying to bully the Australian government.”
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Again, we want them to remain in Australia but we also want them to pay for original content. In terms of the discussion that I’ve had with Mark Zuckerberg today, it was a very cordial discussion. It was a very constructive discussion. He recognises the importance of the Australian market and Facebook’s presence here and we talked about the importance of paying for original content and the Government’s commitment to the Code. So, yes, there are some differences but let’s see if we can work through them…
QUESTION:
This is an example of a social media giant trying to use its clout against an Australian Government, isn’t it?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
I don’t think anyone has been under any misapprehensions as to how powerful these businesses are. They are among the most powerful businesses in the world in terms of their reach, but also their balance sheet…
QUESTION:
Are they undermining Australian journalism?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
The Government has been very firm in its commitment to the Code. With respect to Australian journalism, we are absolutely committed to public interest journalism in this country. That is why it is so important to see them paid for generating original content.
QUESTION:
Facebook has also taken down content on government Facebook sites, as well. Do you have a fear this is going to spread to a much broader content than just Australian news companies?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Again, I can only go off the basis of my conversations this morning with Mr. Zuckerberg, which was about half an hour ago. It was a very substantial conversation and we talked about the importance of their commitment to the Australian market, but also paying for content and the Government’s commitment to the Code. They have some remaining issues with the Code, even though there has been a lengthy conversation to date about it. Let’s see if we can work those through to take this forward.
QUESTION:
Are you prepared to give any ground at all in these discussions with Facebook?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
What we’ve shown to date is that we’ve been committed to the Code and its mandatory nature. We’ve also been able to make some clarifications that have helped put at ease some of the concerns that the stakeholders have had…
QUESTION:
What are those concerns?
JOSH FRYDENBERG:
Well, for example in relation to lump sum payments, reform an amendment that we moved through the Parliament yesterday. Also in relation to the notice of algorithms. Also in relation to the role of the ACCC. So these were largely technical amendments, but they were also clarifications which helped the major players here have confidence in the workability of the regime. My focus, Jonathan, all along has been to get commercial deals in place, but also to legislate the Code. That remains our commitment. Thank you.