The federal government’s four-year $286 million injection into arts, culture and entertainment announced this week has been welcomed by the Palaszczuk Government.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the investment in the new national cultural policy – Revive prioritises arts and culture at a national level.
“I congratulate the Federal Government on their investment providing a foundation to strengthen the sector and grow rich and engaging arts and cultural experiences in our communities,” the Premier said.
“This will Revive our traditional art endeavors across the country, and includes transformative moves, such as the commitment to introducing local content requirements for streaming platforms from mid-2024.
“We already know streaming giants are drawn to Queensland – with Screen Queensland supporting recent projects from the likes of Netflix, Stan, Disney+, Paramount+, and Amazon.
“This Federal Government commitment means we can expect to see even more Queensland-made stories on these popular services which creates even more local jobs.”
Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch said the federal investment would complement the Palaszczuk Government’s injection into the arts of $115.6 million over four years in the 2022-2023 State Budget, which included a dedicated $50 million to support Grow 2022-2026, the second action plan for the Creative Together 10-Year Roadmap for arts.
“Revive has a strong alignment with Creative Together, including shared priorities that focus on First Nations arts and cultures, growing our talented artists, artworkers and organisations and celebrating our unique and diverse stories,” Ms Enoch said.
“I look forward to working collaboratively to secure a strong future for arts, culture and creativity throughout Queensland and across Australia.”
Assistant Minister to the Premier Bart Mellish said the federal government’s new policy also taps into the $250 billion global games market.
“Introducing a Digital Games Tax Offset to support games development in Australia will complement the work underway on the flourishing digital games industry in Queensland,” he said.
“Screen Queensland’s Digital Games Incentive is the most competitive in Australia and is already luring game developers here.
“This is complimented by Screen Queensland’s new residency program for early-career games developers – the first of its kind in Australia.”
The federal government funding includes a new First Nations-led arts investment body and greater recognition of First Nations languages.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Craig Crawford said art is a form of truth-telling — building connection to the stories, songlines and sense of place for all Queenslanders.
“With the nation’s second largest population of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, an investment in furthering the world’s oldest living culture also furthers Queensland’s journey to a more fair, inclusive and respectful future,” Mr Crawford said.
“Language, culture and identity impacts on positive outcomes for First Nations Queenslanders, including supporting the Path to Treaty.”
CEO of Screen Queensland Courtney Gibson said the investment supported benefits across the state.
“As well as growing enduring employment for crews, cast and businesses, Screen Queensland has been focused on opportunities for our own creatives in the state, so more of our local content can be seen by audiences here and around the world,” Ms Gibson said.
“Across all screens, it’s the combination of state and federal incentives that ensures our industry remains competitive and continues its sustained growth trajectory.”
During the 2021–22 financial year, Screen Queensland supported 45 productions and digital games, injecting an estimated $229.3 million into the local economy, creating more than 5,400 job opportunities.
The investment in the screen industry was acknowledged on Saturday by superstar actor and President of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) Russell Crowe, when announcing the AACTA Awards were moving to the Gold Coast.
“I like the way the government up here, and that’s councils as well as state government, have been very keen on their focus in making sure that the industry here is growing,” Mr Crowe said.
“Queensland, it has to be said, right now in terms of film production, is leading the way so we want to be here and we want to get involved.”
