Media faces fresh start under Anika Wells as policy battles loom
Wells is taking over the communications portfolio as broadcasters push for reforms and Labor faces pressure on social media and gambling policy.
Australia’s largest media companies are expected to clamour for the ear of newly appointed Communications Minister Anika Wells, who has taken the reins of a portfolio with at least two high-profile policy battlegrounds this term.
Wells — whose office declined to comment on her appointment — was named as Michelle Rowland’s successor on Monday, following a ministerial reshuffle triggered in part by Labor factional movements last week.
She will now serve as minister for both sport and communications at a time when the two areas are increasingly intertwined. Media companies have become reliant on sport to attract mass audiences as viewing habits shift — in turn, handing sporting codes a significant portion of their total revenue.
Seven West Media CEO Jeff Howard congratulated Wells and used the opportunity to call for tougher anti-siphoning rules. These rules are designed to prevent global streamers such as Amazon Prime Video from acquiring broadcast rights before traditional TV companies have had a chance to bid. Seven currently holds free-to-air rights to the AFL and cricket.
