The Greens won’t rubber-stamp new tax breaks for large Hollywood film studios through the Senate while local, Australian content rules for streaming services remain stalled.
The Government has today introduced new legislation which includes the Location Tax Offset – but the Greens say the Government needs to get serious about delivering a 20% local content quota, based on the amount of revenue earned by big streaming corporations like Netflix, Amazon Prime and Disney.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is Greens spokesperson for the Arts & Communications and Manager of Business in the Senate:
“The Albanese Government has repeatedly promised the local screen industry that they would deliver local content obligations on streaming services by July 1 of this year. With just a couple of months to go, no bill has been tabled in parliament.
“Meanwhile, the parliament is being asked to pass a bill that will give tax breaks to big Hollywood productions that film in Australia.
“These tax breaks for overseas film studios should not be considered in isolation. In order to support both our local industry and welcome major Hollywood productions we need to look holistically at a plan to future proof our Australian screen industry.
“The Greens will be sending the Location Tax Offset provisions to a Senate inquiry. We will use this inquiry as an opportunity to once again hear from stakeholders about what is needed to ensure that we protect our local screen industry and that Australian audiences are able to see Australian stories on their screens.
“The Greens have long called for streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Stan to reinvest 20 percent of their Australian earnings in local content. It is vital that all Australians see themselves and their communities reflected on their screens.”
