Natalie Barr has weighed in on Anthony Albanese’s proposed amendments to anti-diversion laws that have jeopardized access to free television.
The federal government has tabled potential amendments to anti-siphoning laws that could mean only Australians with a TV antenna can access free-to-air sport.
Senator Jacqui Lambie appeared on Wednesday’s Sunrise program to condemn the proposed amendment to the bill, while warning that the changes could affect children’s television programming, such as the popular ABC show Bluey.
“If you think you’ll be able to watch Bluey for free, you’re kidding yourselves,” the politician told host Barr.
“Unless you have subscriptions to things that exist, you won’t be able to see them, so that’s really worrying.” So now they are coming after our little children.’
Natalie Barr, 53, (pictured) has weighed in on Anthony Albanese’s proposed amendments to anti-siphoning laws that have jeopardized access to free TV.
‘They have done nothing for our youth. And now you come after our little boys and take Bluey away from them, you know? she added.
Lambie called Albanese’s move “disgusting”, before accusing his government of being “out of touch” with Australians.
Natalie was not shy about expressing her emphatic support for Lambie’s argument, declaring: “Yes, absolutely!”
Senator Jacqui Lambie, 53 (pictured), appeared on Wednesday’s Sunrise program to condemn the proposed amendment to the bill, while warning that the changes could affect children’s television programming, such as the popular ABC Bluey.
The Communications Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 currently prevents companies such as Apple, Amazon and Disney from purchasing exclusive ‘broadcasting rights’ to Australia’s most popular sports, including the AFL, NRL and the Olympic Games.
However, the government’s proposed new bill would protect free access to sport for Australians with over-the-air television.
It means millions of Australians who watch sport on free video-on-demand services such as 7plus, 10play and 9Now could be prevented from watching their favorite sports.
“If you think you’ll be able to watch Bluey for free, you’re kidding yourselves,” the politician told host Barr. (Pictured: an episode of Bluey)
Meanwhile, networks such as Seven, Nine and Ten have joined in, launching a new advertising campaign titled Free Sport Is On The Line to pressure the government to amend potential changes to the bill.
“It must recognize that the way people watch sport is changing and extend the amendments to the anti-siphoning regime to include free-to-air streaming,” Seven West Media CEO and CEO Jeff Howard said.
‘(The problem) is very simple, the bill only guarantees free sports for Australians who have an antenna. It does not guarantee that people will get free sport if they choose to stream it over the Internet.
“No antenna will mean no access to free sport… the clock is ticking as people increasingly use the internet to watch sport, they will have to pay unless the government acts now.”