“Facebook was wrong. Facebook’s actions were unnecessary, they were heavy-handed,” Mr Frydenberg said in Canberra today.
“Their decision to block Australians’ access to government sites – be they about support through the pandemic, mental health, emergency services, the Bureau of Meteorology – were completely unrelated to the media code which is yet to pass through the Senate.”
Mr Frydenberg said the government remains committed to legislating and implementing the code.
Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the timing of Facebook’s ban came as the social giant saw the passage of the proposed code through the House of Representatives yesterday.
The bill is yet to go through the Senate.
“This digital code, this new media bargaining code, is very important microeconomic reform,” he said.
“We want to thank Google for the very constructive discussions that they have been having with stakeholders.”
Mr Frydenberg said the government was given no warning before the ban.
“With respect to Facebook, they were pretty well down the pitch and they had entered into good-faith negotiations with the media businesses,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“These actions have come at the eleventh hour.”
Mr Frydenberg said part of the reason why the heads of Facebook and Google have been so engaged with Australia’s media code is the precedent it sets globally.
“It’s fair to say the eyes of the world are watching what’s happening here in Australia in real time,” he said.
“There’s no doubt the work of the ACCC, which has been over more than a couple of years, has been world-leading. So, other countries are watching.”
Communications Minister Paul Fletcher described Facebook’s decision as “very unfortunate”.
“We have been very clear all the way along that we certainly want Google and Facebook to stay in Australia, continue to be important parts of the digital economy here,” he said.
“But at the same time if you’re doing business in Australia you need to comply with the laws made by the elected Australian Parliament.”
He said the government will remain tough on Facebook, and no movement has been made on their threats to pull out from Australia as they have done so this morning.
“I took their threats pretty seriously. But we didn’t budge. The Prime Minister didn’t budge. The Australian Government makes laws for Australians,” Mr Frydenberg said.
“And we want the rules of the digital world to replicate the rules of the physical world. So, we’ve been sticking to our principles and we have been sticking to our guns.”
He slammed Facebook for blocking the pages of health departments and emergency services.
“That’s a public safety issue,” Mr Fletcher said.
“I’ve spoken to Facebook this morning and said the Government expects them to restore those pages as quickly as possible.”
Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese called on the government to “fix this today”.
“During a global pandemic, Australians can’t access state health departments on Facebook,” he said.
“On a day of flood and fire warnings in Queensland and WA, Australians can’t access the Bureau of Meteorology on Facebook.
“The Government has said that this is all under control. It’s very clear that it is not.”
This content first appear on 9news