At the end of last week Michelle Rowland (above), the Federal Government’s Minister for Communications, repealed the old anti-siphoning list.
But get this, the Government’s new list is the same as the old list!
The Albanese Government has remade the anti-siphoning list for a period of three years as it promises to progress the review of the anti-siphoning scheme as a priority in 2023.
The interim list – the Broadcasting Services (Events) Notice 2023 – makes no material changes to the previous list.
Minister Rowland pointed out the previous anti-siphoning list was set to expire on 1 April 2023, after its original sunsetting date of 1 April 2021 was deferred by the Coalition Government.
Labor said the former Government never commenced a review of the anti-siphoning scheme to address the risk of iconic events going behind the paywalls of global subscription streaming services.
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Minister Michelle Rowland comments on anti-siphoning scheme
“Every Australian deserves the chance to enjoy live and free coverage of events of national significance, regardless of where they live or what they earn.
“The Albanese Government recognises the need for events of national importance and cultural significance to remain free of charge and accessible to the Australian public, as well as the need for certainty around the list while the review of the anti-siphoning scheme is undertaken in 2023.
“Last year, I stated that next steps in the review would be informed by the initial consultation process. It’s clear that stakeholders want and expect there to be further consultation on any specific reform proposals, so I’ll announce a further consultation round later this year.
“Review of the anti-siphoning scheme is a priority for the Government in 2023 and is being progressed as part of a broader package of reforms to support a strong and vibrant media sector.”
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What is the anti-siphoning scheme?
The scheme was introduced to prevent subscription television broadcasters from buying the rights to events on the anti-siphoning list unless free-to-air broadcasters have purchased the rights to televise the event. The anti-siphoning list includes events the minister believes should be televised free to the general public.
Free-to-air broadcasters don’t have to buy the rights to televise events on the anti-siphoning list. Even if they do buy the rights, they don’t have to show the event live: they could broadcast the event later or not at all.
An event is automatically removed from the anti-siphoning list 26 weeks before the event is due to start.
What the list doesn’t do is prevent streaming platforms or platforms like YouTube or Facebook from grabbing sports rights.
The complete anti-siphoning sports list
1 Olympic Games
(1) Each event held as part of the Summer Olympic Games, including the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony.
(2) Each event held as part of the Winter Olympic Games, including the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony.
2 Commonwealth Games
Each event held as part of the Commonwealth Games, including the Opening Ceremony and the Closing Ceremony.
3 Horse racing
Each running of the Melbourne Cup organised by the Victoria Racing Club.
4 Australian rules football
Each match in the Australian Football League Premiership competition, including the Finals Series.
5 Rugby league football
(1) Each match in the National Rugby League Premiership competition, including the Finals Series.
(2) Each match in the National Rugby League State of Origin Series.
(3) Each international rugby league test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(4) Each match of the Rugby League World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia, New Zealand or Papua New Guinea.
6 Rugby union football
(1) Each international test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Rugby Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(2) Each match of the Rugby World Cup tournament that involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Rugby Australia.
(3) The final of the Rugby World Cup tournament.
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7 Cricket
(1) Each test match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia.
(2) Each test match that:
(a) involves both:
(i) the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(ii) the senior English representative team; and
(b) is played in the United Kingdom.
(3) Each one day cricket match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia.
(4) Each Twenty20 (T20) cricket match that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia.
(5) Each match of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(6) The final of the International Cricket Council Cricket World Cup if the final is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(7) Each match of the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Cricket Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia or New Zealand.
(8) The final of the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup if the final is played in Australia or New Zealand.
8 Soccer
(1) Each match of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup tournament that involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Football Australia.
(2) The final of the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup tournament.
(3) Each match in the Fédération Internationale de Football Association World Cup Qualification tournament that:
(a) involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Football Australia; and
(b) is played in Australia.
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9 Tennis
(1) Each match in the Australian Open tennis tournament.
(2) Each match in each tie of the International Tennis Federation Davis Cup World Group tennis tournament that:
(a) involves an Australian representative team; and
(b) is played in Australia.
(3) The final of the International Tennis Federation Davis Cup World Group tennis tournament if the final involves an Australian representative team.
10 Netball
(1) A semi-final of the Netball World Cup if the semi-final involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Netball Australia.
(2) The final of the Netball World Cup if the final involves the senior Australian representative team selected by Netball Australia.
11 Motor sports
(1) Each race in the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile Formula One World Championship (Grand Prix) held in Australia.
(2) Each race in the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme MotoGP World Championship held in Australia.
(3) Each Bathurst 1000 race in the Supercars Championship.
See also:
Free TV Australia welcomes the Government’s review of the anti-siphoning scheme