Communications Minister Alston is expected to impose a deadline for negotiations about Australia’s new media bill to finish.

Alston is believed to favour the end of next month as the final date to reach agreement with Independent Senators on whether they will pass the new Media Bill.

Negotiations have been protracted as the four key players attempt to negotiate modifications to the proposed Bill and extract concessions from the government. Time will tell whether the deadline prompts speedy agreement on the bill or simply consigns it to the ‘too hard basket’ permanently.