Union says Screen Australia cuts will hit local content

The Union representing actors and screen technicians has described funding cuts to Screen Australia as hugely disappointing and says it will impact on jobs.

This week the Abbott Government announced cuts of $3.6 million over four years, following last year’s cuts of $38 million over four years.

“To see another $3.6 million lost to funding the screen productions that provide Australian actors and crew with much needed work and audiences with much needed local content is hugely disappointing,” said Paul Murphy CEO of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.

Since its formation in 2008 Screen Australia has reduced its operating costs by 44 per cent.

Screen Australia said in a statement the budget reduction will be apportioned across it funding programs.

The cuts are part of a wider $13.2 million in cuts to arts and cultural programs administered by Screen Australia, the Australia Council and Attorney‑General’s Department.

“The government says it will find the $13 million in savings through “efficiencies” but the cuts will undoubtedly impact the thousands of MEAA members who rely on these arts and cultural programs for work, training and development,” said Murphy.

A new National Programme for Excellence in the Arts will be administered by Senator George Brandis by stripping $104.7 million from the Australia Council.

“The Abbott Government will have a much greater say in what gets funded and why. More than $100 million in funding to the arts will always be welcome but in this case, there are certainly strings attached,”said Murphy.

“Sadly, the major area of budget growth of interest to MEAA members was the allocation of $153.8 million over four years to support the implementation of the government’s mandatory data retention regime.”