Aussie actors Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, Marta Dusseldorp and Justine Clarke take demands to Canberra

Big names in Australia’s screen industry came together in Canberra today to demand a big change on streaming services.

Leading names in Australia’s film and television industry have launched a united bid to push parliament to mandate local content requirements for online streaming services such as Netflix to ensure the industry’s longevity.

The screen industry delegation, including Simon Baker, Bryan Brown, Marta Dusseldorp and Justine Clarke, were in Parliament House on Tuesday, proposing that major streaming platforms — also including Stan, Disney+ and Binge — be required to spend 20 per cent of their local revenue on “new Australian drama, documentary and children’s content”.

Australian actor Simon Baker is pushing for content quotas on streaming services. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Gary Ramage

Bryan Brown appeared alongside fellow big names from the Australia’s screen industry to launch a new campaign to convince parliament to introduce local content requirements for booming digital viewing platforms like Netflix. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

Screen Producers Australia CEO Matthew Deaner said the 20 per cent requirement followed similar precedents set in France and Canada.

“It would create up to 10,000 sustainable local jobs and would unleash the potential of the local industry, which would, over time, double in size,” he said.

Australian actors Bryan Brown, Justine Clarke, Simon Baker and Marta Dusseldorp press the industry’s claims. Picture: Sam Mooy/Getty Images

The industry’s proposal for streaming regulation includes requiring subscription and advertising-based video-on-demand services that have at least 500,000 subscribers or registered users to invest 20 per cent of their Australian-sourced revenue into commissioning new Australian content.

The screen sector is calling for a reconsideration of the government’s proposed changes to tax offsets, which since their introduction in 2007 have “supported the creation of a treasure trove of iconic Australian stories”.

Australian Directors’ Guild chief executive Alaric McAusland said the reduction of the rate of offset from 40 to 30 per cent could prevent box office hits from being financed in the future.