Natalie Barr has weighed in on Anthony Albanese’s proposed amendments to anti-siphoning laws which have put access to free TV in jeopardy.
The federal government has put forward potential amendments to the anti syphoning laws which could mean only Aussies who have a TV aerial can access free-to-air sport.
Senator Jacqui Lambie appeared on Wednesday’s Sunrise to condemn the proposed bill amendment, while also warning that the changes could impact kids’ TV programming such as popular ABC show Bluey.
‘If you think that you’ll be able to watch Bluey for free, you are kidding yourselves,’ the politician told host Barr.
‘Unless you have subscriptions to things out there, not you’re not going to be able to watch it, so that’s that’s really worrying. So now they’re coming after our toddlers.’
Natalie Barr, 53, (pictured) has weighed in on Anthony Albanese ‘s proposed amendments to anti-siphoning laws which have put access to free TV in jeopardy
‘They’ve done nothing for our youth. And now you’re coming after our toddlers and taking Bluey away from them, you know?’ she added.
Lambie went on to brand Albanese’s move as ‘disgusting’, before accusing his government of being ‘out of touch’ with Aussies.
Natalie wasn’t shy to express her emphatic support for Lambie’s argument, declaring: ‘Yes, absolutely!’
Senator Jacqui Lambie, 53, (pictured) appeared on Wednesday’s Sunrise to condemn the proposed bill amendment, while also warning that the changes could impact kids’ TV programming such as popular ABC show Bluey
The Communications Legislation Amendment bill 2023 currently stops the likes of Apple, Amazon and Disney from purchasing the exclusive ‘broadcast rights’ to Australia’s most popular sports including AFL, NRL and the Olympics.
However, the government’s proposed new bill would protect free sport access for Australians with an aerial television.
It means that millions of Aussies who watch sport on free video-on-demand services like 7plus, 10play and 9Now, could be prevented from watching their favourite sports.
‘If you think that you’ll be able to watch Bluey for free, you are kidding yourselves,’ the politician told host Barr. (Pictured: An episode of Bluey)
Networks such as Seven, Nine and Ten have meanwhile weighed into the tow, launching a new advertising campaign titled Free Sport Is On The Line to lobby the government to amend the potential changes to the bill.
‘It must recognise the way people watch sport is changing and extend the amendments to the anti-siphoning regime to include free streaming,’ Seven West Media managing director and chief executive office Jeff Howard said.
‘(The problem) is very simple, the bill only guarantees free sports for Australians who have an aerial. It does not guarantee people will get free sport if they choose to stream it over the internet.
‘No aerial is going to mean no access to free sport … the clock is ticking as people increasingly use the internet to watch sport, they are going to have to pay unless the government acts now.’
