HON TONY BURKE MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS
SHADOW MINISTER FOR INDUSTRIAL RELATIONS
MEMBER FOR WATSON
MICHELLE ROWLAND MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS
MEMBER FOR GREENWAY
FLETCHER FIDGETS ON OZ CONTENT WHILE INDUSTRY FRUSTRATION GROWS
This week has seen both broadcasters and the production industry express deep frustration with the Government’s protracted review of Australian and children’s screen content.
The Government announced the review almost three years ago, yet the rules have still not been modernised.
The Minister for Communications and the Arts was appointed nine months ago, and the final report of the ACCC Digital Platforms Inquiry was released seven months ago, yet still there’s no sign of an options paper to look at how to best support Australian screen stories in a modern, multi-platform environment.
Unfortunately this Government’s ongoing delay is causing growing confusion about the state of media policy in the portfolio.
The Minister talks a big game about regulating digital platforms, saying:
“The Australian public expects that businesses that they interact with and acquire services from will be subject to regulation no more and no less than businesses that are not using the internet as a means of delivery”.
SMH, 10 July 2019
But it still isn’t clear whether he will ensure updated Australian and children’s content rules will apply to internet-based as well as broadcast-based businesses.
Now in its third term of government, the Liberals have failed to modernise the communications policy and regulatory framework and refused to release the report of the Australian and Children’s Screen Content Review.
They give new meaning to the concept of “staged review”. Instead of getting reform done in stages, they just act like are.
For more than three years the industry had to deal with the Fifield Triangle – a mysterious vortex of policy drift that would delay everything in its path.
It appears this term will be defined by the Fletcher Paradox – a glaring disconnect between what the Minister says and what he actually does.
FRIDAY, 28 FEBRUARY 2020
