With two parallel yet overlapping inquiries under way into the Australian screen sector, what can the industry realistically hope will be the outcome?
Since 2014 the Federal Government has made numerous policy decisions that benefited sectional interests such as commercial free-to-air broadcasters, the US studios and local service businesses, while neglecting screen producers.
Fifield said the content review is looking for an "identification of a mix of regulation and incentives fit for a multi-platform, highly competitive digital era".
Industry guilds and the free-to-air broadcasters alike have expressed dismay over the Federal Government's move late last week to extend the Post, Digital and Visual (PDV) and Location Offsets to online platforms, arguing the government has missed an opportunity to introduce further policies that could benefit the local industry.
Australia’s commercial free-to-air broadcasters have asked the government for sweeping changes to local content regulations.
The Australian Directors’ Guild has implored the Federal Government not to dismantle the current local content quotas without having a viable alternative in place.
Foxtel has proposed stripping away Screen Australia’s funding for drama and documentary and using the money to cover the costs of raising the Location and TV Producer Offsets.
Some producers are dismayed at the Australian networks’ preference for short-run dramas while others believe broadcasters still have an appetite for returning series.