Aussie screen industry’s urgent plea to combat Donald Trump tariff threat
Australia’s screen industry has reignited urgent calls in a bid to combat Donald Trump’s tariff threat.
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Australia’s screen industry has reignited urgent calls for the federal government to legislate local-content obligations for global streamers, arguing that the sector is defenceless against Donald Trump’s threat to slap a 100 per cent tariff on foreign films.
Screen Producers Australia chief executive Matthew Deaner said quotas were the “single biggest structural fix” missing from Australia’s policy toolbox.
“The biggest structural fix that hasn’t moved is that the regulatory framework … hasn’t evolved to streaming,” he said.
“The biggest piece the government needs to set up is the requirement of ongoing contribution from streaming.”
Local streaming quotas, requiring global streamers to reinvest a portion of their Australian revenues into domestic productions, were initially due in July 2024. However, plans were quietly shelved amid concerns the legislation could breach the Australia–US Free Trade Agreement.
Queensland Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek criticised the federal government for lacking momentum on local streaming quotas, warning that the state’s thriving film sector – home to global blockbusters like Elvis and Godzilla vs. Kong – could be among the hardest hit by Mr Trump’s proposed tariffs.
“The Crisafulli government is leading the charge against the draconian tariffs threatened this week and we are demanding more momentum from federal government, with the chaotic … state Labor Party missing in action,” he said.
“Queensland is a film production powerhouse, and whether it’s through strengthening production pipelines, partnerships or incentives, we need the federal government to take genuine steps to ensure we protect the thousands of Gold Coast jobs and businesses relying on this sector.”
Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke recently acknowledged the slow pace of reform but pledged action if re-elected.
SPA chair and former chief minister of the ACT Kate Carnell said the policy vacuum left small producers at the mercy of multinational platforms.
“This is an industry of small community businesses … the reason government needs to be involved is because of the market imbalance, the power imbalance that exists,” she said.
Delegates at the Screen Forever conference on the Gold Coast highlighted Canada and France as successful models to follow – Canada’s streaming quotas require global platforms to reinvest 5 per cent of their local revenues, while France demands up to 25 per cent.
Canadian Media Producers Association vice president Lisa Broadfoot said her country’s 5 per cent reinvestment rule had become vital insurance.
“This is a teachable moment for why we have to focus on a strong domestic industry and not rely so heavily on the United States for our production sector,” she said.
Mr Deaner said the delay in establishing quotas had created unnecessary complexity.
“If we had acted earlier … this would be less difficult,” he said.
He said SPA expects a draft bill in the opening sitting block of the new parliament.
Originally published as Aussie screen industry’s urgent plea to combat Donald Trump tariff threat
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