Attempt to ease SBS ad restrictions dumped

Communications Minister Mitch Fifield has confirmed the federal government is dumping plans to ease advertising restrictions on SBS.

This year's budget included a one-off extra $8.8 million for the public broadcaster to cover revenue which would have been raised by the legislation that's already been voted down by parliament once.

Senator Fifield told a Senate hearing in Canberra on Wednesday the coalition will be taking steps to withdraw its second attempt at the legislation.