Labor senators back U.S.-Oz pact
Trio pushing for local content regs to become law
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They want new or increased incentives for local production and for local content rules covering existing media to be extended to new media.
The trio also is pushing for the local content regs to become law so that any changes would require parliament approval.
The senators are members of a committee examining the impact of the trade pact, and their report will be issued today.
After that, despite objections from its left wing and certain trade unions, the opposition Labor Party is expected to support the agreement, which would become law Jan. 1.
The pact had been fiercely opposed by the Media, Arts & Entertainment Alliance, which argued that it would mean less quality Australian programming and more cheap U.S. imports because it imposes limits on local-content quotas for terrestrial TV, pay TV and new media.
Simon Whipp, the MEAA Equity division director, mobilized high-profile Oz thesps including Rachel Griffiths, Geoffrey Rush, David Wenham and Toni Collette to denounce the deal, contending it would weaken Australia's cultural identity.
Richard Harris, exec director of the Australian Screen Directors Assn., urged the government to accept the senators' conditions.
More broadly, Harris sees a pressing need for the government and the production industry to come up with a 10-year plan for the biz.
"Production is at a 10-year low," he said. "We need a review of all aspects of the industry, from development to financing and production through to distribution and exhibition. And we need a package of measures that addresses these issues, which might include more funding, higher tax breaks or structural changes."
