Streaming services will be made to produce Australian content

Australian government is introducing laws requiring streamers to invest a minimum amount in local content.

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Platforms such as Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime and any other streamers with over one million subscribers will have to contribute at least 10% of their local expenditure, or 7.5% of revenue, on Australian content.

Legislation will be introduced to parliament this week and will apply to drama, documentaries, arts and educational programmes.

Arts minister Tony Burke and communications minister Anika Wells said the move would help to protect acting jobs. The streaming services have not yet commented.

"We have Australian content requirements on free-to-air television and pay television, but until now, there has been no guarantee that we could see our own stories on streaming services," Burke said.