Release: The media bought the referee in the game against Google

Release: The media bought the referee in the game against Google

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation's largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today condemned Josh Frydenburg and the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) for once again pandering to lobbyists and issuing anti-competitive policies.

“This new policy will force Google and Facebook to share their advertising earnings with traditional media platforms.” ATA Policy Director Emilie Dye told the media to “go make their own money.”

“Australians spend nearly 10x more time on Google than they do on traditional news sites, including the taxpayer-funded ABC. Innovation not subsidies will save these organisations. 

“Pulling on the skirts of government and begging public officials to make Google share their toys, only works for so long. The government could have punished automotive manufacturers and we could have kept plodding around in Holden saddles. Instead, Holden started building cars. 

“On the flip side, these giant multinational corporations should not receive special treatment from the government. If the government wants to attract investment from Google, they should simplify regulation and cut the corporate tax rate for all businesses. The more complicated our regulatory code, the easier it is for lawyered-up corporations to squash the little guys.

“Like other businesses Google and Facebook should remain accountable to the public. Unless Australians explicitly consent to having their data shared, these platforms should protect that information.”