The Marshall Liberal Government must fight for South Australia’s share of a $400 million incentive scheme to attract blockbuster film productions to Australian locations.
The federal government claims 8000 short and long term jobs will be created – jobs that are desperately needed in SA as we hit 8.8% unemployment – the worst in the nation.
Television and film production in SA is at a standstill due to COVID-19 restrictions including border shut downs and crowd number restrictions, costing local jobs.
The Liberals have let down arts and creative workers by excluding them from the JobKeeper scheme, even though the entertainment and recreation sector is the second hardest hit by coronavirus restrictions after tourism and hospitality.
SA’s Creative Industries Strategy was meant to be released earlier this year but has stalled right when struggling creatives are desperate for support and investment.
Quotes attributed to the Shadow Minister for Arts Jayne Stinson
The Marshall Liberal Government must fight for the federal funds now on offer to the film industry to ensure South Australia reaps the economic benefits on offer.
The Premier – who is also the Arts Minister - has failed to fight for unemployed arts workers to join the federal JobKeeper scheme or offer any similar state-based income support as other states have done.
Considering SA’s low COVID-19 infection rate and the work done by former Labor governments to establish world-class filming facilities in Adelaide, SA should attract significantly more than it’s population share of the $400 million up for grabs.
Where is the government’s Creative Industries Strategy? Surely this long-awaited plan should provide state-level financial stimulus for the struggling sector immediately.