The new anti-siphoning laws also give the communications minister the power to ”declare” a sporting event be listed as a ”tier A” or ”tier B” event, which determine the coverage obligations of broadcasters showing them.

Events in tier A include ”nationally iconic” events like the Melbourne Cup and football premierships, while tier B refers to ”regionally iconic and nationally significant” events like Australian Open non-finals games.

To appease regional audiences, particularly outside eastern seaboard states, the legislation will require free-to-air broadcasters to show tier B games within four hours of kick-off, giving them the ability to schedule coverage to maximise audience capture.

Tier A games must be televised live, but if free-to-air broadcasters choose not to take up those rights for tier A or tier B games, the right to televise those events will go to pay-TV providers.

Free TV Australia’s chief executive, Julie Flynn, said the organisation would examine the legislation in detail, but welcomed greater flexibility for free digital stations to broadcast games.

Sporting bodies will have greater freedom to negotiate with pay-TV broadcasters for the rights to listed events that free-to-air broadcasters have chosen not to show.

And, for the first time, Twenty20 cricket matches involving Australia and played in Australia will be on the anti-siphoning list, as well as Twenty20 World Cup matches involving Australia and FIFA World Cup qualifiers in which the Socceroos play.