Australian Content Review

Our CEO, Matthew Deaner, today welcomed the Government's announcement of a review of Australian and children's content as well as the announcement of reforms to support Australian broadcasters.

I welcome the announcement of a review of Australian and children's content by the Department of Communications and the Arts, Screen Australia and the ACMA. In February, Minister Fifield said he wants to see more Australian content on Australian screens and this is an obvious starting point for the review.

However, in a separate inquiry into the industry undertaken by the House Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, the commercial television broadcasters have submitted that they want their obligations to Australian children's content abolished. This is a major concern. As an industry, we will resist this proposal while working constructively to develop options to strengthen this important part of the industry.

In extending restrictions on gambling advertising across all platforms, including online, the Government demonstrates a commendable willingness to regulate new platforms. In undertaking the review into Australian and children's content, the Government must demonstrate a similar willingness and identify platform-agnostic options for content regulation. All platforms, including commercial, public and subscription broadcasters as well as international SVOD services, must come within a regulatory environment that includes strong commitments to contribute to Australia's screen culture.

Investment by commercial television broadcasters has been, and will continue to be, critical to the development and success of the independent production sector. In transitioning from broadcast licence fees to a spectrum charge, the Government has provided relief at one end of the value chain. This is appropriate. However, the entire value chain for Australian content creation and delivery is under pressure. I note that the Government has again missed an opportunity to tie relief for the commercial television broadcasters to commitments to independent production in terms of hours, expenditure, promotion and access. I expect the content review will examine these issues.

I look forward to the content review and the detail of the legislative package.

Media enquiries:

James Cheatley

james.cheatley@screenproducers.org.au

+61 2 8076 5878

Download the release.

LINK:	https://screenproducers.org.au/news/content-review/...
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