As part of the 2007-08 Budget on 8 May 2007, the Federal Government announced new incentives for production and the creation of a new agency, a merger of the Australian Film Commission, the Film Finance Corporation and Film Australia, which will take place from 1 July 2008.
For updates on this, see:
Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Film
MAY 2008
For information on the 2008-09 Budget for the new agency, Screen Australia, and the NFSA as a separate statutory authority, see the Portfolio Budget Statements on the DEWHA site.
FEBRUARY 2008
NFSA Steering Committee: The Government has indicated that it will be moving forward as a priority with its election commitment of establishing the NFSA as a separate statutory authority. In order for the Commission to manage the successful transition of this process, an NFSA Steering Committee has been established. This Committee comprises Maureen Barron (Chair), Chris Fitchett, Paolo Cherchi Usai and Peter Young from the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. Terms of Reference for the NFSA Steering Committee are available for downloading as a PDF file here.
New legislation: Legislation was introduced in the Parliament of Australia on 20 February 2008 to create Screen Australia and establish the National Film and Sound Archive as a separate statutory authority. See Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts: Film.
Media release available on the Minister's website The Hon Peter Garrett AM MP
OCTOBER 2007
On 9 October 07, the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, said 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.
Media release from Senator Brandis
SEPTEMBER 2007
On 7 September, the Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, released an exposure draft of legislation to establish a new Government film agency, to be called Screen Australia. Public comment on the draft bill closed on 14 September.
On 20 September, Parliament passed legislation establishing an Australian Screen Production Incentive.
Media release from Senator Brandis
UPDATE AUGUST 2007
On 3 August, the Minister for Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, released details of important enhancements to the Screen Production Incentive package, specifically the Producer Rebate and the application of the qualifying Australian production expenditure (QAPE) test.
The release includes a letter to film industry stakeholders from Senator Brandis. He says:
"Since the announcement of the Incentive, I have had the opportunity to meet with and consider submissions from many representatives of the film and television industries regarding its operation. The Government has agreed to many of the policy changes proposed by industry. I believe these changes will enable the Incentive to better meet the needs of all sectors and stimulate greater levels of Australian film and television production into the future. The changes will be reflected in a draft Bill to be made available by the Treasury shortly."
Read full release and statement on the Minister's website. Download the Producer Offset Fact Sheet and the Location Offset and PDV Offset Fact Sheet as PDFs below.
On 16 August, legislation enacting the new Australian Screen Production Incentive was introduced into Parliament. Read Minister Brandis's press release.
MAY 2007
Releases from industry and other organisations
Other organisations merging with the AFC into the Australian Screen Authority:
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