> Tech giant Meta is playing a game of chicken with the Australian government by refusing to do deals with local media outlets and “daring” regulators to force them to the negotiating table, an inquiry has heard.

That sounds to me more like the publishers are trying to blackmail Meta.

This may help explain Australia's position... "Executive Chair of News Corp Michael Miller warns it's time Meta, TikTok and X come to the table and play by Australia's rules". https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/radionational-breakfa...