ERROL PARKER | Editor-at-large | Contact

AS NETFLIX COMES through on its promise to shut the door on Australian VPN users, consumers have hit back, saying that they wouldn’t have to circumvent geo-blocking if the local catalogue was as comprehensive and satisfying as the American one.

The Australian version of Netflix has six times less content and costs more.

One local subscriber has likened the situation to having a fridge full of vegetables, grains, fruits and juices – which won’t kill you, it’s just that normal people need a bit of meat.

Any that’s where the problem lies within. There is no meat in the Australian version of Netflix. It’s the equivalent of being offered a double bacon cheeseburger but decided to have a cucumber sandwich instead.

Former meat and livestock advocate, Sam Neil, has described the dire situation in a letter to the New Zealand Herald this morning.

“The battle they’re fighting is futile, this is always the case when you pit socialism against capitalism,” wrote Neil.

“Eating red meat is what separated us from the other great apes. If you force Australian and New Zealandese audiences to watch the smorgasbord of sustained mediocrity that Netflix Australia peddles out, we’re not going to evolve like other audiences.”

In response to this legal power play by the content distributor, many Australians have said they’re just going to go back to pirating TV shows and movies – because it’s free and better.

Soft-handed and unconfident Brisbane lawyer, Greg Bahn said he tried to watch The Great Gatsby last night, only to find it wasn’t available through his Netflix subscription, despite the movie being made here.

“I couldn’t get it so I just downloaded it. I know it’s illegal but so is speeding in a school zone and I sometimes to that,” said Bahn.

“You can’t even watch Australian movies on it. Last week, I suddenly decided I wanted to watch Paperback Hero with Hugh Jackman again. Nope sorry.”