Washington – The Australian Parliament passed a law November 27, mandating online streaming services to meet government-prescribed levels of Australian content.
These mandates are inconsistent with core provisions under the Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA) that explicitly exempt internet-enabled services from burdensome management of content decisions long applicable to traditional broadcasting.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association urges USTR to urgently engage with Australia and use available trade tools to incentivize the Australian government to repeal this amendment. CCIA has previously warned that this measure is inconsistent with Australia’s international trade commitments and could cost U.S. streaming services up to US$1 billion by 2030. Both industry and U.S. lawmakers have expressed opposition to the mandate, arguing it undermines economic cooperation between the two nations.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Vice President for Digital Trade Jonathan McHale:
“Australia’s decision to pass legislation forcing U.S. streaming companies to spend over $1 billion on Australian video content by 2030 is both unnecessary and clearly inconsistent with Australia’s international trade commitments. Rather than threaten Australian production, streaming services have been a catalyst for its thriving growth – a success now at risk. We call on Australian policymakers and U.S. trade negotiators to work to reverse this ill-considered step and focus on voluntary measures to support Australian audiovisual production that are consistent with our trade commitments.”
