TV bosses descend on Canberra to eliminate broadcast tax

A phalanx of TV bosses supported by on-air talent are descending on Canberra today to convince politicians they should no longer be paying licence fees for using the public airwaves.

During the Parliamentary Showcase – to be held this evening in the Parliament House theatrette – the TV industry will argue strongly for the permanent removal of the Commercial Broadcasting Tax, which in theory raises around $50m annually in total. A bi-partisan parliamentary “friend group” will also be resurrected to support the industry’s lobbying.

It is a busy time in Canberra for lobbyists, with digital platforms also vigorously making their case against the under-16s social media ban, due to come into effect in December.

Last week a Greens-initiated Senate Inquiry was set up to examine the privacy implications of the age ban, which many see as a last opportunity for digital platforms to delay, water down or stop the ban.