Australia's free-to-air television industry is dismayed that the federal government has extended some production tax offsets to online streaming giants such as Netflix.
Communications Minister Mitch Fifield says the "game-changing decision" will boost Australia's screen production industry by making the nation a more attractive place to make television programs.
Online platforms such as Stan, Ten All-Access, Netflix and Amazon Prime will now be able to apply to claim tax refunds using the Post, Digital and Visual Effects and Location Offsets.
Senator Fifield announced the step on Thursday, just before Prime Minister Scott Morrison triggered the election for May 18 and put the government into "caretaker mode".
The mode prevents the government from making major decisions.
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The peak body for the commercial free-to-air television sector says the announcement is "outrageous", as the government's only response so far to its 2017 review of Australian screen content.
Free TV chief executive Bridget Fair says the industry has been crying out for meaningful reform in content regulations since the 1980s and the government hasn't delivered.
Commercial TV broadcasters are Australia's biggest source of production and the government should be seeking to help them continue to play an important role, she believes.
"It defies logic to prop up unregulated foreign streaming platforms with government funding while commercial broadcasters remain saddled with a range of content obligations that no longer reflect how Australians are consuming content and are in urgent need of a complete overhaul," Ms Fair said on Friday.
But the screen production industry says the tax changes come as streaming services are spending more on production each year.
Australia New Zealand Screen Association chief executive Paul Muller says the nation is now in a position to compete for that investment.
"There's no doubt this decision will make Australia an even more attractive place to produce movies and series, which will create jobs and boost the Australian economy."
Senator Fifield says increased demand for Australian screen skills are essential to the sustainability of the sector.
"Large budget productions strengthen Australia's capacity to produce high quality stories for Australian and international audiences."
