Media laws won't got to vote: Oakeshott - Sydney Morning Herald

AAP

The federal government will drop its proposed media law changes rather than force them to a doomed vote next week, key Independent MP Rob Oakeshott predicts.

But the NSW MP says that doesn't mean Labor should give up on improving media standards in the medium-term if it retains government at the September election.

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy wants a package of six bills passed by both houses of parliament by next Thursday - the final sitting day before the May budget sessions.

However, independent MPs, the Greens and the coalition have complained the tight timetable means there's not enough to scrutinise the legislation, which was only released on Thursday.

Labor needs the support of crossbench MPs in the lower house and the Australian Greens in the Senate to pass the legislation, which includes a new public interest media advocate to oversee press standards and provide a check on big media mergers and acquisitions.

But Mr Oakeshott, who won't be voting for the package as it stands and is aware of the views of crossbench colleagues, says it's clear there's not enough support to get it through.

"Frankly, I would be very surprised if the government puts this to a vote and that's where it is looking," he told AAP on Friday.

"The process looks to be a dog's breakfast."

The Greens are believed to be split on the issue, with some wanting bills dealing with the ABC, SBS and a community broadcasting channel to be passed, while others want a Senate communications inquiry - due to produce a final reports in June - to run its full course.

Senator Conroy said the issues had been debated for many months following two independent reviews and it was "too early to make pronouncements about whether or not people are voting for the bill".

"The vote is next week, and there will obviously be a lot of discussions going on between now and then," Senator Conroy told ABC radio on Friday.

But Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young said her party was concerned about the process and deadline, and accused Labor of bullying parliament into "either taking it or leaving it".

"We will come back to our position on the overall package after we've had a good look at our concerns ... and we've participated in that Senate inquiry process," she told reporters in Canberra.

Nationals Senate leader Barnaby Joyce told AAP the Greens would reveal themselves as "utter and unequivocal hypocrites" if they let the bills go through next week.

"The people of regional Australia need some input into what is going to happen," he said.

The Senate committee looking at the bills will take evidence from media companies, academics, peak industry bodies and the Australian Press Council in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday.

A separate joint select committee is looking at other possible media reforms, including the axing of the 75 per cent broadcasting audience reach rule, and will also take evidence in Canberra on Monday.

The reports of both inquires are due by June 17, but interim reports could be released on Wednesday.