Microsoft has slammed Google's attitude towards the Australian search market.
The tech giant has hit out at its rival, which has threatened to withdraw from the Australian market amid a dispute over the country's new media code.
Brad Smith, the President of Microsoft, said in a statement: "While other tech companies may sometimes threaten to leave Australia, Microsoft will never make such a threat.
"We appreciate what Australia has long meant for Microsoft's growth as a company, and we are committed to supporting the country's national security and economic success."
Smith confirmed that Microsoft is happy to abide by Australia's new regulations for the search market.
He said: "While Microsoft is not subject to the legislation currently pending, we'd be willing to live by these rules if the government designates us."
The statement came after Paul Fletcher, the communications minister, suggested that Microsoft's Bing could fill the void in the Australian search market if Google withdraws.
Fletcher doesn't see Google's potential exit as a huge issue, suggesting Microsoft's search engine could easily fill the void.
He explained: "Microsoft, a giant American corporation, an information technology powerhouse, is very significantly interested in the market opportunity in Australia, should Google choose to withdraw its presence in search in Australia."
Fletcher also played down the seriousness of Google's threat.
He said: "What Google and Facebook say they intend to do is really a matter for them. We made it clear we very much prefer them to stay in Australia, they’re an important, significant part of the ecosystem, but ultimately these are business decisions."
