Category: josh frydenberg

Queensland Premier Call for JobKeeper Extension Is ‘Petty Politicking’: Frydenberg

The Queensland Premier’s repeated calls for an extension to JobKeeper is “petty politicking”, as the next stage of targeted economic support is already under consideration, the Australian Treasurer says. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has continued to ask for an extension to JobKeeper, saying Queensland’s tourism industry will be severely affected once payments stop on March 28….


Facebook Reverses News Ban on Australia

Facebook has decided to reverse its sweeping ban on news content in Australia after the tech giant and the federal government agreed to amendments to the impending media payment law. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and the Australian government have been engaged in eleventh-hour discussions since the ban came into place last Thursday. By Tuesday Eastern…


Expert Questions Whether Facebook’s Crossfire in Australia Was Deliberate

An Australian expert has said that it is “inconceivable” that Facebook accidentally restricted the pages of a cross-section of critical government departments, emergency services, and non-profit organisations when it implemented a ban on all news content from its platform in Australia. “Facebook hires some of the brightest and best in terms of algorithm design and…


Expert Questions Whether Facebook’s Crossfire Hitting Non-Profits, Emergency Services Was Deliberate

An Australian expert says it is “inconceivable” that Facebook accidentally restricted the pages of critical government departments, emergency services, and non-profit organisations when it implemented a ban on all news content from its platform in Australia. “Facebook hires some of the brightest and best in terms of algorithm design and software engineering,” Associate Professor Rob…


‘Facebook Was Wrong’: Australian Treasurer Stands Firm Against Tech Giant’s ‘Heavy-Handed’ News Ban

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned Facebook that its decision to pull news content from Australian users will damage its reputation in the country. “Facebook was wrong. Facebook’s actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed, and they will damage its reputation here in Australia,” Frydenberg told reporters in Canberra. “Their decision to block Australians’ access to government…


‘Facebook Was Wrong’: Australian Treasurer Stands Firm Against Tech Giant

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has warned Facebook’s decision to pull news content from Australian users will damage its reputation in the country. “Facebook was wrong,” Frydenberg told reporters in Canberra, Australia. “Facebook’s actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed, and they will damage its reputation here in Australia.” “Their decision to block Australians’ access to government sites…


‘Zuckerberg Didn’t Convince Me to Back Down’: Australian Treasurer

Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has met with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to discuss an impending new law that will force the tech giants to pay local media for display their news content. The Facebook CEO, however, was unable to shift the Australian government’s position on introducing the News Media Bargaining Code. The treasurer revealed on…


Minister Tehan Says Government Considering Tourism-Targeted Support

Federal tourism minister Dan Tehan said it is unlikely international travel will resume for another year and so the Morrison government is considering targeted financial support for tourism businesses economically impacted by Australia’s CCP virus restrictions. “I’ve already been engaging heavily with the tourism industry to listen to their concerns and also to get thoughts, ideas…


Australian Treasurer Welcomes Businesses Repaying JobKeeper

The federal treasurer Josh Frydenberg has acknowledged the Super Retail Group’s decision to voluntarily return its $1.7 million JobKeeper subsidy after posting a record half-year profit but said paying back the handout is not a legal obligation. The move by the group that owns brands, including Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sports, BCF outdoor and Macpac, was…


Prime Minster Welcomes Businesses Repaying JobKeeper

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has praised the Super Retail Group’s decision to voluntarily return $1.7 million worth of JobKeeper subsidies after posting a record half-year profit. The move by Super Retail, which owns Supercheap Auto, Rebel Sports, BCF, and Macpac, was made public by the company in its trading update (pdf) on Jan 18, after…