Jun 2, 2026 – 8.00pmPowerful lobby groups representing major US multinationals have decried Australia’s plans to tax Meta, Google and TikTok at a higher rate if they do not strike commercial deals funding journalism, warning it is part of a “deteriorating tax environment” for investment in Australia.Draft legislation unveiled by the government in April could force those three companies to strike deals worth about $250 million a year with Australian news outlets.Subscribe to gift this articleGift 5 articles to anyone you choose each month when you subscribe.Subscribe nowAlready a subscriber? Fetching latest articles
‘Deteriorating environment’: Tech giants warn Australia on news tax
Two major lobby groups representing US tech giants say the News Bargaining Incentive is the latest policy that could dampen investment in Australia.
Tech lobby groups warn Australia's proposed $250M/year news tax on Meta, Google, TikTok signals worsening investment climate. The ad-hoc levy threatens platform economics and risks deterring foreign tech investment if replicated elsewhere.












