The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.
Film and TV survey to inform review of industry
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp, today said the Australian Film Commission’s annual national survey of feature film and TV drama production would assist the Government with its current review of support measures for Australia’s film industry.
The Australian Film Commission’s survey tracks the production of feature films and TV drama programs such as mini-series, telemovies and serials in 2005–06.
“The Australian film industry plays a vital creative and economic role and it is important Government support to the industry assists its growth and sustainability,” Senator Kemp said.
“The Australian Film Commission’s 2005–06 survey provides both the industry and Government with crucial information on the strength of Australian film and television production, and will inform the current review which is examining ways to improve support to this sector.
“The survey points to a decline in production expenditure in Australia, which is largely due to the fact that fewer foreign feature films were shot in Australia during this period.
“But there are encouraging signals as well. With Government support for local production increasing significantly in 2005–06, it is pleasing to note that more feature film and television projects commenced production this year than was case in the previous financial year.
“Government support to the Film Finance Corporation and the Australian Film Commission saw these organisations contributing $44.3m for film production, and the Corporation providing $28.9m for TV production in 2005-06.”
Senator Kemp also noted a positive increase in budgets, expenditure and the number of television drama titles commencing production this year.
“I am also expecting that additional 2005–06 Budget funding of $30m over three years for the ABC to commission new Australian television content will boost local television production,” Senator Kemp said.
The Australian Government’s review of the full range of film support measures is examining the effectiveness of current Government direct and indirect support, including taxation incentives, for the film industry. The review is addressing issues identified in the Australian Film Commission’s 2005–06 survey such as how to increase the level of private sector support for Australian film and TV production, and has been strongly endorsed by the sector.
This year the Government has also reviewed its Refundable Film Tax Offset scheme, under which $900m worth of production expenditure in Australia from high budget film productions has been incurred since its inception in 2001. Outcomes from this review are being considered in the broader review.
Visit www.dcita.gov.au/arts/filmreviews for information on the Australian Government’s film reviews.