SINGAPORE – Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Thursday he had a “constructive meeting” with Google chief Sundar Pichai after the technology giant threatened to pull his search engine out of the country over a possible new law.
In essence, Australia wants internet giants Facebook and Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet, to pay for news.
The government introduced a media bill in parliament in December. If accepted, the new media bargaining code would require digital platforms to pay local media and publishers to link their content in news feeds or search results. If the parties are unable to reach an agreement, a government-appointed panel will decide on the price.
“I thought it was a constructive meeting,” Morrison told reporters on Thursday, according to the transcript of a press conference his office posted.
“I was able to send them the best possible signals that would give them great encouragement to get involved in the process and conclude the arrangements we would like them to see with the various news media organizations in Australia,” he said.
Morrison said Google raised specific aspects of the media negotiation code during the call and that the discussions touched on the company’s ability to continue service delivery in Australia.
“At the end of the day, they understand that Australia sets the rules for how these things work. And I was very clear how I saw it play out,” Morrison said, without further effect.
Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment from CNBC.