Arts, Recreation and Entertainment:
2007-08 Budget initiatives
Australian Screen Production Incentive – Location Rebate
The Australian Screen Production Incentive – Location Rebate, which was previously called the Refundable Film Tax Offset (RFTO), is an incentive for large budget film and television productions to locate in Australia. The Government made a number of enhancements to the Location Rebate through the 2007-08 Budget that will increase the attractiveness of Australia as a location for foreign funded large budget productions. The enhanced incentives are available to eligible productions which commence principal photography or production of the visual image after 1 July 2007.
By enhancing the Location Rebate, the Australian Government continues to recognise the economic, employment and skills development opportunities that large scale productions bring to Australia – and to Australians working in the screen production industry. The criterion to access the Location Rebate is a minimum qualifying Australian expenditure of $15 million on the production.
Since the Refundable Film Tax Offset was introduced in 2002, over 20 large budget productions have located in Australia. A number of these productions have based location shooting in rural and regional Australia, providing considerable economic and employment opportunities. The recently completed Charlotte's Web, for example, provided a major economic boost to both Greendale and Williamstown in Victoria, while Fools Gold (due for release in early 2008) brought economic benefits to the Gold Coast, Port Douglas, Airlie Beach and Lizard Island.
The Australian Government is also introducing the Australian Screen Production Incentive – Production Rebate from 1 July 2007, to support private investment in Australian film and television production.
Small to medium performing arts companies
The Australian Government is providing additional funding of $19.5 million over four years, from 2007-08, to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the small to medium performing arts sector. The increased funding will underpin a significant increase in new work and community activities, including skills development and training for artists and community education and access programmes.