US Election Stalling Australian Streaming Regulation

US Election Stalling Australian Streaming Regulation –

“Australian screen producers are anxiously long awaiting the outcome of the US Presidential election to see whether this will break the ongoing impasse in negotiations around streaming regulation,”

said SPA CEO Matthew Deaner.

“There’s little doubt that the mostly US-based streaming businesses have been weaponising the AUSFTA to delay the promised regulation this year.

“Last year, the Australian Government committed to ensuring Australians continue to be able to see and hear quality home-grown content, regardless of platform and that regulation to affect this by ensuring streaming platforms invest in key genres, including children’s, drama and documentary, would commence on 1 July 2024.

“SPA has been increasingly concerned at reports this year that behind closed doors, the powerful, mainly US-based streaming platforms were arguing that the 2004 AUSFTA meant that the US Government has a significant say in how Australia regulates these services.

“There’s no doubt in my mind that the unfortunate collision in timing between the US Presidential election and the Australian Government timeline for this regulation has been behind the prolonged delay in this legislation coming forward to the Parliament.

“Australia hasn’t been afraid to take on powerful interests in the past. We need to find that resolve, or these digital platforms will continue to play by their own rules and ignore local audiences as it suits them.

“This situation is denying Australian audiences ongoing guaranteed and appropriate levels of access to their own screen content and making business conditions challenging for many independent producers.

“If we don’t face up to the changes brought about by powerful digital platforms to our screen industry, we are setting ourselves on course for a dismal future. And that would be a terrible legacy from our National Cultural Policy Revive, which promised so much for our creative industries,” said Mr Deaner.

See Senator Sarah Hanson-Young discuss AUSFTA in Senate estimates video from Tues 5 Nov HERE.