Aus Job Losses Expected As Govt ‘Misses The Boat’ On Local Screen Content Quotas

The Government has been slammed for failing to introduce local content rules for streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+ and more as the screen industry continues to be hit hard by COVID-19.

According to the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance, the union for performers and crew, “the failure of the Federal Government to introduce local content rules for streaming video services will hasten more screen industry job losses in the wake of COVID-19”.

“How the Government has missed the boat on regulating streaming services and requiring set levels of Australian content each year defies belief,” MEAA Chief Executive Paul Murphy said.

“This government seems intent on deregulation rather than creating a playing field that is level for all. Streaming services – yielding billions in income each year – will be celebrating that they have again avoided any content rules.

“The new flexibility provided to Australian commercial television networks will also lead to fewer productions across the board. Moving Foxtel and other subscription broadcast television broadcasters to 5% from 10% of program expenditure for each drama channel just reflects a government that is not serious about the provision of quality Australian content for our growing nation.

“The maintenance of the 55% Australian content rule is a statement of business as usual, as it already allows television broadcasters to count reality, sports, news and current affairs towards quota achievement, but is accompanied by weakened sub-quotas. It is likely to mean the demise of children’s content on commercial TV, leaving a cash-strapped ABC to pick up the slack.

“Even the ‘additional’ funding for Screen Australia simply restores the organisation to pre-Abbott (2014) funding levels. The harmonisation of the producer offset is welcome, but it has resulted in a cut of the feature film offset from 40% to 30%.”

The Greens have also taken aim at the Morrison Government’s changes to local content rules.

“The Government has failed to deliver real reform today and has let the global steaming giants off the hook,” Greens Spokesperson for Communications, Media and Arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.

“This is a decision that if not corrected will cost local jobs and undermine Australia’s creative and cultural heritage.

“The Government’s reforms to local content quotas must result in more quality Australian stories on our screens, not less. This will only happen if the global streaming giants are regulated properly.

“Without legal requirements on the global giants, our screens and children’s devices will become even more clogged with trashy, cheap shows from America. Our Aussie kids deserve better than this.

“It’s time to ensure the big streaming giants like Netflix, Disney and Amazon who are flooding the domestic market contribute to Australia’s local screen industry, jobs and telling local stories.

“Local stories are important for helping us understand who we are as Australians, what values we share, our cultural heritage and where we see ourselves in the rest of the world.”

Back in July, the Australian Government was slammed for favouring Hollywood over its local filmmakers, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison announcing a $400 million package to entice overseas productions to be filmed in Australia over the next three years.