Labor pledges to support local TV and free sport ahead of the federal election

Labor has pledged to support local TV and free sporting events to air live and free under an Albanese Government.

Ahead of the upcoming federal election, Anthony Albanese has vowed to review the anti-siphoning scheme to ensure Australians can watch events of national and cultural significance for free rather than behind the paywall of a multinational streaming service.

The Labor leader also wants to ensure local TV services are easy to find on connected TV platforms, such as smart TVs, and legislate a prominence regime to ensure Australian TV services can easily be found on connected TV platforms.

The Labor party have said they promise to back the local media sector in order to compete and thrive in the era of big tech, global streaming services.

They said they will prioritise conducting consultative review processes that will provide relevant stakeholders, including media and sports, the opportunity to share their views. 

Labor leader Albanese said: “Every Australian should get to see major sporting events. 

“For a whole lot of Australians, free to air TV is essential to seeing those moments which lift us up as a nation, that inspire us, that help define who we are. Major sporting events should be on free to air TV.”

Shadow minister for sport and tourism, Don Farrell said: "You can’t be what you can’t see. It’s imperative that future generations can see their heroes in action, live on free TV.

"Labor is committed to ensuring Australia’s sporting traditions are upheld and accessible to everyone," he added.
 
Michelle Rowland, shadow minister for communications, said: "Labor is committed to a sustainable media industry that can get major cultural and sporting events into every Australian lounge room.

"An Albanese Government will give the industry the certainty it needs to continue to deliver for Australian families," she said.