Google has threatened to stop making its search function available if proposed laws to force it and Facebook to pay media companies for using their journalism are passed in Parliament.

There are fears the threat could impact quality news media and Australians if enacted and questions are being asked as to why Google and Facebook are so opposed to paying media companies for their content.

The government's code of conduct highlights the importance of paying for news content to safeguard the future of media diversity in Australia, says Monash University Associate Professor Johan Lidberg.

"This threat is the latest and the most significant from the tech giants, who have opposed the code of conduct since it was first proposed," he said.

"This is very unfortunate bully behaviour by Google and Facebook and typical of corporate actors that have become too powerful and that operate in a close to monopolistic environment. This behaviour clearly illustrates why the code is needed and the need for governments worldwide to rein in the power of the big tech companies.

"There are significant imbalances between the earnings of media companies and those of Google and Facebook, which generate huge volumes of advertising around news generated by others. Australian media companies have struggled immensely from a decline in advertising revenue due to COVID-19, with many of our local newspapers, which are the engine rooms of our democracy in our regional areas, shutting altogether. This world-first framework could protect local jobs and fund public interest journalism.

"It is important, now, more than ever before, that Australians have access to trusted news sources that have the resources to provide quality public interest journalism in times of misinformation."

What do you think of Google's threats?