Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.
Minister for the Arts and Sport
Former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate archived website
Minister for the Arts and Sport from 23 November 2001 to 30 January 2007
Screen Australia will build Australia's film industry
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, says new ongoing funding arrangements for Screen Australia to be established in mid-2008 will ensure the agency will have a strong and sustainable role in supporting Australia’s film industry.
“Screen Australia will be a statutory authority receiving ongoing Australian Government funding,” Senator Brandis said.
“This ongoing funding will create certainty for the new agency which will allow it to make the longer term commitments necessary to effectively support Australian films, from their early development stages.
“This initiative recognises that Screen Australia will play a vital role in supporting the production of quality Australian films into the future.”
The Government is continuing funding announced in 2004 to support script development, low budget films and screen culture activities, support currently delivered by the Australian Film Commission, and the History Initiative program, which is currently being delivered by Film Australia.
From 1 July 2008, these initiatives will be delivered through the new authority, Screen Australia.
The new agency will work with Australia’s film and television industry to ensure that audiences continue to benefit from a diverse range of engaging Australian film and television productions.
The establishment of the new screen agency, which will also take on the majority of functions of the Australian Film Commission, is part of a $282.9 million four-year film industry support package, which is designed to strengthen the Australian film and television industry. The package also includes new tax incentives for Australian and overseas producers.
The Government supports film, television and multi-media production so that Australians have the opportunity to produce and watch their own stories on screen.
Visit www.afc.gov.au, www.ffc.gov.au and www.filmaust.com.au for more information on the work of the principle Australian Government funded film agencies.
Visit www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/film for more information on the new screen agency.
Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248
8 October 2007
122/07