Restoration of government funding a great result for the NSW screen industry

The restoration of funding for the NSW screen industry will ensure thousands of jobs and small businesses remain in the state, says the union for screen workers.

The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance welcomes the reinstatement of funding for the Made in NSW program and the Post, Digital and Visual Effects Rebate, which has been announced by Arts Minister John Graham today.

The funding cuts, worth about $60 million, were made by the previous government prior to the state election in March, but were included in last week’s Budget.

MEAA Chief Executive Erin Madeley said the decision to restore the funding showed the government recognised the cultural and economic value of the screen sector in NSW.

It follows a campaign by screen workers that saw more than 1000 people contact their local MP in recent days to express their concern about the cuts.

“The State Government has listened to the concerns of screen workers about these cuts and their impact on the industry, and it has acted quickly to guarantee continued funding,” Ms Madeley said.

“This will ensure that NSW remains a major destination for film and television production. We look forward to working together with government to develop a sustainable screen policy for the state.

“The screen industry is an important part of NSW’s cultural and economic identity. It generates hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and supports thousands of skilled jobs and small businesses.

“The Made in NSW program and the PDV Rebate are both essential parts of the state’s screen architecture as incentives for productions to be made in the state and we are delighted that they will be restored.

“This decision by the government is the result of action taken by MEAA members and their families, along with all other industry stakeholders including small businesses and production companies over the past week. Close to 200 union members attended a mass meeting in Sydney the day after the Budget where they agreed to launch a campaign to restore the funding.

“Well over 1000 people have taken action by contacting their local MPs and key government ministers, including the Premier and the Treasurer, in the past few days.

“Congratulations to everyone who has been involved for this result.

“Importantly, this now puts us in a good space to work with the government in developing a strategy for the state’s screen industry as part of its new cultural policy.”