The haven't tightened - they were loosened. At one point no Ibis Budget in Australia participated, but when some hotels changed hands, the new owner decided to have them in the program.
For reference, the Ibis Budget that were participating when they first started counting in oz. https://terms.accor.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/ibisbudgetparticipatinghotels.pdf
What they did say in the variations document was that the new annual fee would be the same as the old annual fee. They could change that, but they would need to communicate that, and at this point they haven't.
Given the communication was basically your fee is the same as now, I am in the same bucket. I assume its fee free, and if I get a charge will deal with it then.