The Australian government on Tuesday (4/11) announced a draft law that would require streaming platforms to invest in the creation of local Australian content.
The bill would require streaming services with more than one million Australian subscribers to invest at least 10 percent of their content spending in Australia or 7.5 percent of their revenue in Australia on new Australian drama, children's, documentary, arts and educational programming, according to Variety Australia.
Australian Arts Minister Tony Burke called the rules crucial cultural infrastructure in the growing global content market.
"We can't underestimate how important it is for Australians to see themselves on screen," Burke said.
He said Australia already has content requirements for free-to-air and pay-TV programs, but currently has no guarantees for streaming services .
Burke said global platforms would have no barriers to distributing content to Australia, and the investment obligations the government would impose would help ensure local screen workers and audiences continued to benefit.
"No matter what remote control you hold, Australian stories will always be at your fingertips," he said.
