Labor Senators note that Schedule 1 of this bill represents one of the biggest overhauls of screen policy settings for a decade.
Labor Senators also note that the Government’s approach to this bill has been inadequate on various fronts and falls well short of the principles of best practice regulation.
The Government failed to give a compelling rationale for each of the measures contained in Schedule 1. The Office for the Arts in the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications (the department) and the Treasury failed to produce costings for the individual measures in Schedule 1, despite being asked to do so repeatedly and in advance of the hearing. The Government also failed to consult key screen sector stakeholders regarding individual measures contained in Schedule 1.
As the Government Chair of this committee pointed out, the Department failed at the hearing to provide a sufficient evidence base for its claims that the sector would not be negatively impacted by some of the changes contained in Schedule 1.
Labor Senators note that the Government has treated both the screen sector and the small and medium businesses contained within it, with insufficient respect. The Government’s preparedness to undermine the ecosystem that sustains Australian storytelling, culture, national identity and creativity is nothing short of bewildering.
It is hard to understand why the Government is seeking to make it harder for a documentary film to be made in this country at a time when the cost of production is rising and the stories arising out of the extraordinary times we are living in deserve and demand to be told.
The inquiry was told by small and medium businesses in the post and visual effects sector that the measures contained in this bill would be a serious blow to their growing businesses. The Department was unable to produce evidence at the time of the hearing to refute the concerns of business owners keeping Australians employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Labor Senators note their support for parts of this bill. The increase in the Producer Offset for television from 20 per cent to 30 per cent is supported by Labor as well as welcomed by the sector. There is also a general preparedness amongst the sector to support the removal of the 65 hour cap on claiming offsets for television drama series.
Labor Senators note that, while there is a willingness to adjust current settings, it must be recognised that the screen ecosystem requires measures that incentivise and promote the industry as well as independent producers, the commissioning of new works from writers and composers and the development of fresh talent. The Government cannot keep withdrawing supports from those who produce Australian content and give nothing back.
It is a shame the Government has welded together measures in this bill which are strongly supported by the sector and measures which are strongly opposed. Each of these measures warrant individual scrutiny despite Government arguments to the contrary.
While Labor Senators support the intent behind Recommendations 1, 2 and 3 in this report, they are half-measures. They are not enough to soften the blow which this bill will land on the sector if it is unamended.
Labor Senators recommend the Government amend the bill to remove all parts of Schedule 1, with the exception of the increase in the Producer Offset for television and the removal of the 65 hour cap. These measures should not be held to ransom in the name of other far more damaging measures which are attached to the same bill.
Recommendation
The Government amend the bill to remove all parts of Schedule 1, with the exception of the increase in the Producer Offset for television and the removal of the 65 hour cap.
Senator Nita GreenSenator Catryna Bilyk
MemberMember