federal_government

$38 million funding hit for Screen Australia – IF – 13 May.14

Screen Australia will be $38 million worse off over the next four years due to the federal Budget cuts.

The agency is losing $25 million in government funding in that period while the termination of the Australian Interactive Games Fund which it administered means a reduction of $10 million in 2014-2015. The fund had been due to run for another year. (more…)

Opinion – Movie money an easy target but critics miss mark – Gary Maddox – SMH – 06.Apr.13

So why are taxpayers spending more than $20 million to get Walt Disney Studios to shoot a blockbuster movie in Australia? Isn’t this just throwing cash – not much more than a bribe – at a hugely profitable Hollywood studio?

Federal Labor backbencher Ed Husic is not alone in questioning why the government is handing so much money to attract 20,000 Leagues under the Sea – the latest movie based on Jules Verne’s novel about Captain Nemo’s adventures – instead of funding hospitals. (more…)

UPDATE: Federal Govt commits $21.6m to lure 20,000 Leagues to Australia

The Gillard Government has today announced a one-off payment of $21.6m to attract the Walt Disney Studios film 20, 000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo to Australia.

The project, at one stage rumoured to have Brad Pitt attached, is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs and result in significant investment in Australian businesses working on the big-budget production. (more…)