The Federal Government has committed $4.2 billion in funding for the public broadcasters over the next three years, while concurrently outlining the next steps in its media reform agenda.
Both SPA and the ADG have identified the potential for a "production void" if there is a prolonged delay between the government's relaxation of local content quotas for commercial free-to-air broadcasters and any imposition of obligations on streamers.
Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has warned that Free TV Australia's proposed voluntary points system for Australian content would have disastrous consequences for the screen sector.
Breaking ranks with Screen Producers Australia, the Australian Directors' Guild opposes two of SPA's key policy proposals as well as making the case to rename the Producer Offset as the Creative Offset.
"Our research examines the role of television storytelling, especially the importance of local television. So it’s with great surprise we find ourselves advocating for the elimination of Australian content quotas on commercial free-to-air broadcasters," write Amanda Lotz and Anna Potter.
The Nine Network screened just two first-release Australian dramas - 'Seachange' and 'Bad Mothers' - last year and had to rely on New Zealand imports to fulfill the local drama quota.
If the Federal Government needed any further vindication for imposing a mandatory code which will force Google, Facebook and other international digital platforms to pay Australian media companies for sharing news content, Google Australia's latest financial results are timely.
What needs to be in place to get the sector back to work? And what will production actually look like when things can resume?