2017-05-06
The Australian Greens have called on the Communications Minister to strengthen the requirements for broadcasters to produce high quality Australian made television content, especially for children, in the wake of today's licencing announcement.
"If the big broadcasters are going to pay less for licences under this government, then they must be required to support more Australian TV content," the Greens' youth and arts spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
"We will not allow the review of children's television content standards announced by the government today to be used as a ploy to slash broadcasters' requirements. Far from slashing the requirements for locally made kids TV, the government should be looking to strengthen and broaden them to include on demand streaming services like Netflix and Stan.
"Australian children deserve to have their own culture reflected in the television they watch. They need high quality story telling to help them make sense of their identity and the world around them."
After launching the #SaveKidsTV campaign last month, the Greens will continue to fight for Australian made content.
"The government shouldn't let the broadcasters wriggle out of their obligations to Australian children," Senator Hanson-Young said.
"We well continue to fight to save kids TV in Australia and I hope the government does the right thing by our young Australians and children's television producers."
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