The media bargaining code has passed the Senate. This is what happens now

Using news content on their platforms has always been something Google and Facebook have done — without paying.

So when the Australian government tried to force the tech giants to cough up some cash for publishers, there was always going to be fireworks.

That culminated in Facebook’s decision last week to block access to news to Australians.

It may have walked back on that, but the showdown continues.

Today, a new phase of the government’s plan starts.

Here’s what happens next.

Wait, what just happened?

The highly contentious media bargaining bill, formally titled Treasury Laws Amendment (News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code) Bill 2021, passed the Senate.

Because it’s been amended, it will return to the House of…