Interview with Karl Stefanovic, Channel 9, Today Show

EO&E...

KARL STEFANOVIC, HOST: From Crocodile Dundee to The Castle. There's no doubt Aussies makes some of the best movies and TV in the world. And we're about to see a whole lot more it seems, the Federal Government forcing streaming giants to make more local content. For more, we're joined by Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke in Melbourne. Good morning to you, Tony. Thanks for your time this morning. How's it all going to work?

THE HON TONY BURKE MP, MINISTER FOR EMPLOYMENT AND WORKPLACE RELATIONS, MINISTER FOR THE ARTS: Hey, Karl. What we've announced now for the streamers is from the 1st of July next year, they'll have content obligations. We're going to spend the first half of this year working out with the streamers and with industry exactly where those rates start, how we design it, we'll have legislation in the Parliament in the second half of this year.

STEFANOVIC: Was the 20 -

BURKE: The decision that we've made, though, is it just can't go on. I beg your pardon?

STEFANOVIC: Sorry, was the 20 per cent over egging it or is that about right?

BURKE: Look, it's not a decision we've made yet. The decision that we've made is it can't go on to have a situation where if you're watching your TV through your TV aerial and it's free to air, then there's content obligations; but if you're watching through the internet, there's nothing. We've all spent time where you go through the menus on streaming services, and it looks like almost everything's from the UK and the US.

If you're sitting on your lounge room and you're watching your TV, a whole lot of the options in front of you should be great Australian stories. When the streaming companies have got into this, things like Wentworth. There's a series of shows that they've made that have been really good quality. So, we know they can do this. We just need to make sure that we get the consultation right first half of the year, legislation second half of the year. When we hit next year, I want to make sure that no matter how you're watching your TV, Australian stories are something that you've got an option right in front of you.

STEFANOVIC: Right, what happens if they don't comply - will you be throwing the good people from Disney Plus into the clink?

BURKE: It'll be law that they comply, and I reckon they'll obey the law.

STEFANOVIC: All right. Otherwise, big fines? How will you police it?

BUKE: Look all of that's part of the design of the legislation. We won't be relying on the Marvel team to bring it in on them. It'll be - you'll have your normal methods of compliance. We won't have to go through particular options on the Disney Channel.

STEFANOVIC: All right, good to talk to you. A step in the right - anything that makes it easier and better for Australian production, I'm all for. Good on you, mate. Thank you so much, Tony.