This submission addresses draft Australian legislation establishing a News Bargaining Incentive, prepared by University of Canberra and RMIT researchers. Drawing on extensive regional interviews, national surveys, and stakeholder engagement, it proposes five recommendations: include AI platforms, strengthen incentives for smaller publishers, raise agreement thresholds, require multi-year deals, and enhance transparency to support public interest journalism.

This submission responds to the News Bargaining Incentive Revenue Distribution—Statutory Payment Scheme. Informed by regional interviews, surveys, and stakeholder engagement, it offers seven recommendations: strengthen eligibility, support workforce sustainability, improve funding allocation, broaden journalism roles, establish evaluation mechanisms, reduce regulatory burden for small publishers, and ensure transparency and accountability.