FED: Filmmakers warn of threat from New Zealand TV

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-1998
FED: Filmmakers warn of threat from New Zealand TV

CANBERRA, Dec 4 AAP - Cheap New Zealand programs could swamp Australian television and
threaten the nations cultural identity, an inquiry into broadcasting laws was told today.

Film and television industry groups joined forces to warn of the threat posed by including
programs produced in New Zealand as Australian content.

The High Court earlier this year upheld an appeal by the New Zealand Film and Television
Industry Group Project Blue Sky against broadcasting rules stipulating 50 per cent Australian
television content.

The court found the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA) standard for Australian
television content, published in December 1995, contravened the Closer Economic Relationship
(CER) treaty between Australia and New Zealand.

The ruling meant New Zealand programs could be counted as Australian.

A Senate committee is investigating whether paragraph 160 (d) of the Broadcasting Services
Act 1992 related to program content should now be amended or deleted as a result of the court
decision.

The Australian Film Finance Corporation, the main government agency for investment in the
national film and television industry, said Australia was now at risk of being swamped by
cheap New Zealand programs because networks could dispense with locally made productions.

"While New Zealand is presently a relatively small producer of television programs, it is
positioned to provide programs, especially in key areas of adult drama, childrens drama and
documentary," the corporations chief executive Catriona Hughes said.

"The preferred market access gained by being able to meet local content rules will provide
New Zealanders with more favourable access than domestic producers."

The corporations submission to the inquiry said Australia needed content regulations to
support the local industry.

"It is important that existing cultural policy measures are maintained," the submission
said.

The New Zealand Government submission said if Australia repealed or amended the
broadcasting act in response to the High Court decision it would undermine the CER.

"(This) would be greeted with considerable dismay in New Zealand, and by Australias other
friends in the international community," the NZ submission said.

AAP sc/mfh/cjh

KEYWORD: CONTENT

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