Answers to Questions

Film Industry

In reply to the Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15 May 2019).

The Hon. R.I. LUCAS (Treasurer): I have been advised:

The screen sector is within the portfolio of the Minister for Innovation and Skills. The Department for Innovation and Skills has provided the following information:

1. The government is currently developing the South Australian growth agenda to prioritise and guide the government's economic development initiatives. The growth agenda will draw a focus on the creative industries, and call for industry-led strategies from sub-sectors such as games development, to identify areas in which it can contribute economic growth to the state.

In April 2019, Ms Ann Maree Davies, the Head of School at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, was appointed to the board of the South Australian Film Corporation. The Academy of Interactive Entertainment is a video games and computer animation school. The government continues to consider proposals from the film and video games sectors for support, including support for the games industry for a skilled workforce under the Skilling South Australia funding.

2. The former government committed $2 million over three years (2017-18 to 2019-20) to establish the South Australian Game Development Fund (the fund).

Of the $2 million, $450,000 has been committed to the establishment of the Games Plus co-working space located in Pirie Street. The balance of the fund of $1.55 million was transferred to the Research, Commercialisation and Startup Fund which is available to all South Australian entrepreneurs and innovators.