The committee delivered its report on Tuesday last week, backing the legislation while recommending that the adoption time for prominence be reduced from 18 months to 12 months for manufacturers to comply.

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Critics of the policy argue that it goes against Australians’ preferences and stifles free-market innovation by limiting potential revenue opportunities for major sports.

The legislation is part of a wider strategy from Labor to encourage a more sustainable media industry in Australia.

This week, Albanese pledged to support “a future made in Australia”, encouraging greater incentives for local investment.

“Amongst all the events this week, our prime minister has been very vocal about a future made in Australia, which I think is absolutely right,” said Sneesby, adding that prominence and anti-siphoning were “exactly what [he] is talking about.”

But, he added, “It’s one thing to say a future that’s made in Australia is what we’re aspiring to, but we have to back it up with very clear action.”

Sneesby said the policy, in its simplest form, ensured that Australians had access to events with ‘no strings attached’, but it failed to acknowledge how an increasing number of people access content.

“Australians choose to watch TV both through an antenna and through broadcast video-on-demand or streaming platforms. Therefore, anti-siphoning should embrace both of those means and protect both of those areas,” he said.

Broadcast video on-demand platforms include the likes of 9Now, SBS On Demand and 10Play.

Sneesby also said prominence did not address the fact most Australian homes already had smart TVs, as it would only apply to televisions sold in the future.

“That doesn’t help Australians that have already purchased a smart TV, so anti-siphoning and prominence have two big gaps the government needs to solve to ensure a future that’s made in Australia is what we get.”

A Foxtel spokesperson said the company was pleased the committee recognised the importance of putting consumers first and reflecting consumer preferences.

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