The Coalition is formulating a policy response to the regional news crisis brought on by a sudden increase in newsprint costs, according to multiple senior ministers.
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It comes as the Federal Labor leader says he's ready to sit down and find a solution now.
The Coalition ministers have lobbied the Prime Minister to respond to the front page stories across ACM newspapers on Wednesday warning that regional newspapers could go under as soon as next month.
ACM understands any official policy or intervention is in "early days" of development.
The ministers, including Nationals leader Barnaby Joyce and Health Minister Greg Hunt, have raised the issue of newspapers potentially shutting down when a newsprint price hike lands on July 1.
ACM, the owner of this masthead, was recently notified that the only Australian supplier of the newsprint used for regional newspapers will soon increase prices by as much as 80 per cent.
"The impact could be catastrophic," the editorial warned, threatening regional news coverage and journalism jobs.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the loss of print news would be "massive", noting the critical role that regional newspapers play in their communities.
"I've always been very sympathetic when I have met with regional media, WIN and others about the pressures they are under," he told reporters.
"I would take a constructive role on any of those issues. For now, during caretaker, I would be prepared to sit down and I believe they play an important role and it is legitimate to make sure they have support."
Regional communities, including Canberra, potentially impacted were facing circumstances beyond their control, he said.
Scott Morrison is yet to comment on the situation, but several ministers said the issue was raised with him and the Coalition was considering a policy response before the election.
"We must have a vibrant fourth estate, otherwise I can get away with anything," Mr Joyce said in Singleton on Wednesday.
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"I spoke with the Prime Minister and the leadership group this morning from Tasmania," Mr Hunt said in Burnie on Wednesday.
"I don't want to pre-empt the decisions of the Prime Minister and the Communications Minister [Paul Fletcher], but I can say that as recently as this morning the Prime Minister was engaged in the issue."
It comes as regional MPs call for the protection of regional newspapers.
Eden Monaro MP Kristy McBain said independent regional media was facing a crisis, with the number of local government areas without coverage by a single local newspaper increasing from 21 to 31 under the government's watch.
"Scott Morrison has been too little, too late with support for public interest journalism despite widespread newsroom closures and the emergence of news deserts around the country," Ms McBain said.
Nationals MP Michael McCormack said he appreciated that many people still wanted a printed newspaper, and that the government was prepared to work with regional publishers.
"Of course, there are a lot of competing pressures on the money that is available, and, of course, it's not only the newspaper industry that's doing it a bit tough at the moment," the former deputy prime minister said.
He said he didn't want to see fewer journalists in the community.
"When you have an event in Wagga or elsewhere, we want to see journalists recording the news, recording the events and recording what people are saying and that's fantastic."