Google opens paid-for news site in Australia

Google has launched a new platform in Australia offering news it has paid for.

The search giant has struck its own deals with publishers.

It's paying seven outlets, including the Canberra Times, to use their content.

The move is a bid to show that Australia's proposed new laws forcing it to pay for content are unnecessary.

Draft rules on the subject are currently before a parliamentary inquiry.

Google is lobbying ministers to drop the whole idea, calling the proposed law 'unworkable'.

It's threatened to pull out of Australia if they go ahead.

Now financial terms for the new platform have not been disclosed.

Last month Reuters said its content would be among that featured on the News Showcase.