THE State Government appears to be backtracking on its attack on regional newspapers.

Last week, it was reported that the government was introducing legislation that would potentially heavily impact regional media, including The Spectator.

Its Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021, introduced in Parliament earlier in February, sought to remove a requirement for the government and local councils to communicate changes and consultation opportunities via regional print publications.

This would have potentially allowed public notices to be published on a central government website rather than in the print media, as presently mandated.

The removal of this local government advertising would slash a significant portion of revenue from the bottom line of regional newspapers.

The public notices represent thousands of dollars in revenue for regional media organisations.

Lowan MP, Emma Kealy vehemently opposed the changes in the Legislative Assembly of Parliament after speaking with local communities and regional newspaper editors.

“The legislative requirement for local councils and State Governments to put community notices in the paper when they’re going to make changes is a crucial part of a transparent, accountable government,” she said.

“The Premier’s admission (Thursday) that the government got it wrong and needs to make changes before the bill goes to the Legislative Council appears to be a step in the right direction, but we’ll be waiting to see the detail.”

Ms Kealy said transparency on government change was an important part of open and honest government.

She said government advertising was also an important source of revenue for small country papers.

“Labor’s move abandoned our country papers by taking out another reliable, constant source of advertising and callously gutting the viability of their business,” she said.

Victorian Country Press Association (VCPA) chair, Andrew Schreyer welcomed the statement from Premier Daniel Andrews that the Regulatory Legislation Amendment (Reform) Bill 2021, will be amended and strengthened to protect regional newspapers.

“I thank the government for listening to our concerns and making these amendments,” he said.

“Thank you to all VPCA members who contacted their local MPs to raise concerns on the potential impact of this bill.”