Media Statements - Coalition commits to screen industry expansion in Western Australia

23/01/01

Western Australia’s screen industry would provide 10 per cent of Australian film and television production within 10 years under a Coalition Government plan announced today.

Western Australia currently accounts for less than two per cent of national production.

Premier Richard Court and Arts Minister Mike Board today outlined three initiatives aimed at stimulating a major expansion of the Western Australian film and television industry:

the creation of a screen industry precinct;

the development of a screen training academy; and -

programs to encourage youth involvement in screen production.

Mr Court said Western Australia was well positioned to take advantage of international growth in screen production and providing the infrastructure to do this was an important first step.

“Developing WA’s screen industry capabilities by providing improved infrastructure and more cohesive training opportunities will see significant economic benefits for the State - not only through sale of a product, but in employment growth,” he said.

The dedicated screen precinct, a recommendation of the Premier’s Screen Industry Taskforce Report, would provide an operational hub featuring film and television studios, a 700-seat theatre/studio and commercial media and information technology premises.

Four sites have been put forward as possible locations for the precinct: Northbridge rail site (bounded by Wellington and Roe Streets), East Perth, the former Midland Workshops and Fremantle.

“The Coalition is keen to support all of these proposals, and we would see the Northbridge site as the main centre for the precinct,” Mr Court said.

The Northbridge option would involve the joint development of the land in conjunction with the private sector, with the land component being the State’s contribution to the project.

Arts Minister Mike Board said that as part of the screen Industry development plan, the Coalition also would establish a Screen Training Academy through a partnership between TAFE and the secondary and tertiary education sectors.

“The academy would ensure we had a ‘talent pool’ of suitably qualified, job-ready personnel and aimed to position WA as a leader in creative production techniques, specialising in digital technology,” Mr Board said.

The work of the academy would be complemented by programs designed to further encourage youth involvement in screen production.

“Vocational education and training programs would be developed for high school students and partnerships created with local television stations and production houses to provide practical, on-the-job experience for students studying film and television,” Mr Board said.

“We also will be working with the Film and Television Institute to develop a State-wide video competition.

“Supporting and further developing the screen industry gives us opportunities for employment growth, greater export of locally produced screen and television products and yet another way to showcase our State.”

Media contacts:
Premier’s office: Casey Cahill, 9222 9475
Minister’s office : Tamatha Smith, 9222 9211