00:00From Kath and Kim to Dance Academy and Bluey, Australia has really delivered when it comes
00:07to iconic shows and movies. But, the filmmakers behind them say the rules that ensure media
00:12platforms make enough Australian productions, known as content quotas, need to be improved.
00:19David Gurney is one of many filmmakers who lost work when content quotas were changed
00:24in 2020, making it less attractive for free to air networks to invest in local drama and
00:29children's programs.
00:30The permanent staff got laid off, all the actors, the other contractors who worked for the company,
00:41we weren't able to employ them anymore. And the studio had to physically close down. People
00:47saving up to buy a house who then couldn't.
00:49It's not just the people behind the scenes who've been affected.
00:55The auditions are few and far between because there are just less guest roles, for example,
01:01because there are less shows being produced.
01:04Australian filmmakers argue that ensuring streaming platforms also have to produce Australian content
01:09content would help revive the industry. In 2023, the federal government said content quotas
01:15on streaming platforms would be introduced from July 2024. But over a year later, the legislation
01:21hasn't moved forward.
01:22And Screened Producers Australia says nearly 80% of its members feel impacted by the delay.
01:28This goes to the entire confidence they have to effectively get up every day and go on and
01:34do great work in our sector and for Australians to receive. So when they're this affected, it is
01:42a significant concern.
01:44The ABC sought responses from a range of streamers, including Netflix, Foxtel, Disney and Stan. Only
01:51Netflix responded. It said it doesn't oppose regulation and is already investing heavily in
01:57making quality Australian content. Local filmmakers say legislated streaming quotas would provide
02:05certainty for the sector.
02:07All these people would be able to come back into jobs and it just would be, it would be
02:12a revitalisation of our industry.
02:14It could actually give us potentially an even bigger industry than we had before.
02:21In a statement, Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke says he's been pushing for streaming quotas
02:25for more than a decade and he'll continue pushing for deadlines for their introduction.
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