This submission responds to News Bargaining Incentive Revenue Distribution—Statutory Payment Scheme (“the NBI scheme”). This submission sets out seven key recommendations in response to questions in the consultation paper published by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport & the Arts.

These are informed by extensive research, including interviews with hundreds of people living in regional Australia and surveys of thousands of Australian news consumers examining their media habits, perceptions, and expectations. The submission also draws on engagement with industry and government stakeholders through a series of roundtables, workshops, and related forums.

The key recommendations are:

• Broaden and strengthen the eligibility criteria of the NBI scheme.
• Invest directly in workforce sustainability and pipeline development.
• Adopt a fairer funding allocation model.
• Expand the definition of eligible journalism roles.
• Establish ongoing evaluation and data collection mechanisms.
• Minimise regulatory burden and risk for small publishers.
• Ensure transparency and accountability in funds use.