Government establishes Screen Industry Taskforce to foster film industry in WA

13/8/99

Arts Minister Peter Foss has committed to assist Western Australia develop a competitive edge in film and television production that will enable it to take advantage of the booming national industry.
Mr Foss delivered his assurance at the Australian Film Institute Awards Screenings in Perth.
Off-shore investment in national film and television industry is significant. In the Eastern States, over $250 million a year is injected into film and television productions.
Fox Studios has been hosting major international blockbusters such as Mission Impossible II, Dark City and The Matrix, and Paramount is planning to open studio facilities in Melbourne.
Since 1991 Queensland has been leading the nation in attracting over $660 million worth of international productions to Warner Brothers on the Gold Coast.
Mr Foss said although WA was lucky to have a solid foundation of talent, and the establishment of 'GranadaWest' to support production in the State had been a significant achievement, a look at further development was required.
"We need to look at spreading the net wider - to review the need for facilities, training and sustainability of the industry, talent base and workforce," Mr Foss said.
"To achieve this Premier Richard Court has established a Screen Industry Taskforce to address opportunities and threats faced by the industry at this time of tremendous opportunity and challenge.
"The Taskforce will explore issues of broad-based, structural development and is expected to report later this year with its findings and recommendations."
Mr Foss said he was confident the local industry would succeed in taking Western Australian stories and talent around the world.
Media contact: Chris Morris 9321 2222