MEAA welcomes proposed Netflix quota

After a devastating year for the Australian screen industry, MEAA is heartened by today’s news the Federal Government is considering a local content quota for Netflix and other streaming services that currently have no obligation to produce original Australian content.

For the last four years Australian writers, producers, directors, actors and crew have been lobbying the Federal Government for forward-thinking policies that recognise drastic changes to audience viewing patterns, new technology and a hyper-competitive global market for screen production.

MEAA chief executive Paul Murphy says as thousands of skilled writers, directors, creatives, technicians, performers and other workers face an uncertain future, the need for the Federal Government to take regulatory action is critical.

“While we need to see more detail within the Government’s green paper, placing a requirement on streaming services to invest a percentage of their Australian revenue in local content gives a devastated local industry much hope for the future,” Murphy said.

“We will be studying the green paper carefully, and consulting our members to prepare a submission in response.

“Getting this reform right will create thousands of jobs and also benefit audiences for generations to come by bringing more uniquely Australian stories to the screen.”