APRA AMCOS Head Hits Back At Govt Decision To Remove Local Screen Quotas

APRA AMCOS has hit back at the Government’s decision to remove Australian content quotas on free-to-air and subscription television in light of the COVID-19 crisis.

As highlighted by APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston, “the move to water down content obligations will incentivise television broadcasters and subscription services to reduce the programming of new productions to the detriment of the local industry, including our screen composer members.”

Ormston also pointed out there are “scores of screen productions ready for release and in the final stages of post-production that can be scheduled over the remainder of the year”.

Instead of removing content obligations, the organisation is urging the Government back Screen Producers Australia and the Australian Guild of Screen Composers, who are vying for “a temporary arrangement of deferring content obligations which would provide broadcasters relief in the coming year”.

Australian Guild of Screen Composers President Antony Partos said: “Screen composers are in a unique situation where a significant amount of income is derived from royalty payments made following broadcast of content. 

“Composers are already hit hard by the suspension of production with no likelihood of income for at least six months after production commences in many cases. There is now the prospect of a downturn in royalties due to a cessation of new Australian content being broadcast. This will have the potential of creating a double negative impact on our already struggling industry.”

The screen industry is also calling on the Government to implement a $1 billion screen content fund that would “boost local tax offset arrangements and provide direct support through Screen Australia”.

Last month, Screen Producers Australia said any reduction on local content quotas would be "a hammer blow to a production sector already on its knees”.

The content quota removal affects Australia dramas, children's television and documentaries.