Civil Penalties for Subscription Video on Demand Services Failing to Meet Expenditure Requirements
Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025
House of Representatives
Senate
Assent
Introduced by: The Hon Tony Burke MP (ALP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
The Debate
What different members said when this bill was debated:
Tony Burke ALP
“I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today the Albanese Labor government is legislating for streaming services to have guaranteed Australian content. This bill amends the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and subordinate legislation to allow for an Australian screen content requirement on subscription video-on-demand (streaming) services.”
Ms RYAN
“I’m proud to stand here in this place today to support this important piece of legislation.”
Anika Wells ALP
“Australian stories matter. They reflect the community we live in, they show us the faces that look like us and they put Australian culture and creativity on our screens. No-one knows this better than the first storytellers, the First Nations Australians, who have been passing their stories through the generations for over 60,000 years.”
Dr RYAN
“When we think about what has shaped the cultural identity of most of the people fortunate enough to sit in this place, we think of the stories told on our screens. We recall with fondness Skippy the Bush Kangaroo, A Country Practice, Hey Hey It’s Saturday and, particularly for those of us who grew up in Melbourne, Neighbours. Old people like me think of Seven Little Australians and The Sullivans.”
Ash Ambihaipahar ALP
“I rise to speak in support of the Communications Legislation Amendment (Australian Content Requirement for Subscription Video On Demand (Streaming) Services) Bill 2025. This bill is a significant step forward for our cultural influence, for our local screen sector and for every Australian, who deserves to see their own stories reflected in shows they watch, no matter what screen they view them on.”
“The Greens have long campaigned for local content quotas on streaming platforms. Big tech companies like Netflix and Amazon, who make massive profits from Australians, should be required to have Australian content that gives back to the Australian economy and contributes to a stable, thriving local screen industry.”
Renee Coffey ALP
“For many of us, Australian stories live in our memories as moments on screen that marked out whole chapters of our lives. We remember Scott and Charlene’s wedding on Neighbours, with the classic 1980s big hair and big shoulder pads, when it felt like the nation pressed pause to watch two young Aussies say ’I do’ and then talked about it at school and work the next day.”
Anne Webster NAT
“I rise as the first shadow minister for regional communications in Australia—yet another principled position the Nationals took to ensure that, in the 21st century, there is a continuous focus on regional connectivity.”
“I move: That these bills be now read a second time. I seek leave to have the second reading speeches incorporated in Hansard. Leave granted.”