Millions of Aussies to be blocked from watching major sporting events such as AFL and Olympics

Nationals MP Barnaby Joyce has made an impassioned plea for Australians to be able to watch major sporting and cultural events for free ahead of the introduction of amendments to anti-siphoning laws in Federal Parliament.

Viewers could have to pay to stream sport or major cultural events if the Government does not protect digital rights for free-to-air networks, he said.

The bill in its current form prevents streaming services such as Amazon, Apple, and Disney from buying exclusive “broadcast rights” to major sporting events, such as the AFL and Olympics.

However, streamers would be able to acquire exclusive digital rights — which will lock out millions of viewers who watch free sports on services such as 7plus, 9Now and 10Play.

Joining Sunrise host Nat Barr and Environment and Water Minister Tanya Plibersek for Hot Topics on Sunrise on Monday, Joyce argued Australians deserve to watch free sport — and called on journalists at free-to-air networks to hold the government to account on the issue.

“I hate to say it, ABC, Channel 7, News Corp, Channel 9 — they do the investigative journalism so people like myself and Tanya, you can keep an eye on us,” Joyce said.

“There are no journalists in your local town or suburb from Netflix or Stan or Binge.

“If your journalists dig into how the nation works, you have to make sure enterprises like that make money and if they don’t have free-to-air sport, they won’t make money.

“It is important we can watch the AFL or NRL grand final. It is really important as a free-to-air station that you make government (do the right thing).”

Plibersek stopped short of agreeing to strengthen the laws, with Barr questioning her: “Tanya, can you guarantee people will have free sport if they are watching through an app?”

“That’s really a question for Michelle Rowland, the Communications Minister,” Plibersek said.

Anti-siphoning legislation came after the introduction of subscription TV in Australia in the 1990s. The laws ensured viewers could watch major sporting and cultural events for free.

No aerial is going to mean no access to free sport.

This week, free-to-air networks Seven, Nine, and Ten joined forces to launch a new advertising campaign — Free Sport Is On The Line — to lobby for the federal government to amend its proposed change to the anti-siphoning bill.

The advertisements across print, online and social media warn of the impact on Aussie viewers.

Seven West Media managing director and chief executive officer Jeff Howard said the government needs to do more to recognise the changing way Australians watch TV.

“It must recognise the way people watch sport is changing and extend the amendments to the anti-siphoning regime to include free streaming,” 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.”

Nine chief executive officer Mike Sneesby said: “Australian audiences need to be able to watch sport for free whenever and however they choose to enjoy it.

“We need the government to deliver the anti-siphoning framework that ensures we can continue to provide this for all Australians.”

Network Ten president Beverley McGarvey said: “Australians’ free access to the Australian Formula One Grand Prix or the Matildas and Socceroos shouldn’t be governed by how they choose to access our channels.”

More information can be found at Free TV Australia’s Free For Everyone website.