Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 9 May 2018:

The economic and cultural value of Australian content on broadcast, radio and streaming services, with particular reference to:

(a) the current state and operation of the market for Australian television and music industry, including competition issues relating to the relative market power of producers and broadcasters for traditional, streaming and catch up viewing;

(b) the contribution the Australian television and music industries make to the economy;

(c) the value and importance of:

(i) local content requirements for television, radio and streaming services in Australia, and

(ii) Australian children' s television and children' s content;

(d) related inquiries including:

(i) recent international reviews and reports, in particular, from the United Kingdom and Canada, and

(ii) submissions made to:

(A) the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts inquiry into factors contributing to the growth and sustainability of the Australian film and television industry, and

(B) the Australian and Children' s Content Review, undertaken by the Department of the Communications and the Arts, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Screen Australia; and

(e) any other related matters.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

James McGrath (Queensland, Liberal National Party, Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The government does not support this motion. As the motion itself notes, there are already two inquiries underway on this subject: there is an inquiry being undertaken by the House Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, and the government is conducting an Australian and Children's Screen Content Review involving the Department of Communications and the Arts, the Australian Communications and Media Authority and Screen Australia. The motion makes no case as to why a third inquiry is needed. Those involved in the Australian content production and broadcasting industries would much prefer to be spending their time focusing on their core business.

Stephen Parry (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The question is that business of the Senate notice of motion No. 2, moved by Senator Hanson-Young, be agreed to.