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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-06-01 Daily Xml
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South Australian Film Industry

S.E. ANDREWS (Gibson) (14:56): My question is to the Minister for the Arts. Can the minister update the house on how the South Australian government is supporting the South Australian screen industry?

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:57): I thank the member for her question. It is excellent that she has such strong support for the screen industry because it is a vital part of the South Australian economy and the arts ecosystem. What we want to see from our screen industry is some great local content being produced here in South Australia.

I know the member herself has passionately advocated for what was Mercury CX and, as of Tuesday night, is now the Mercury. The Mercury is a really important part of the screen sector in South Australia in supporting emerging film makers to get from really that university training into being professional screen makers here. To have a really strong screen sector is important to be able to tell our stories. It is a really important part of capturing our imagination. Allowing us to experience life through someone else's eyes is actually really important, as well as obviously the economic boost that it gives, and the employment opportunities.

Particularly with respect to the Mercury, for a long time it has been a critical part of the ecosystem for the screen sector in South Australia. It provides incredible development opportunities for emerging talent. It has traditionally done this through professional development opportunities for emerging writers, directors and producers.

Soon after being sworn in as the Minister for Arts, I was made aware of the quite precarious financial position of the Mercury through a report that the former minister had commissioned. That landed on my desk and, without going into the details of the past year or so, this has ultimately resulted in the election of a new board. Very highly experienced industry professionals came on to the board of the Mercury late last year. They have taken the reins of the Mercury and they are steering it in a new and very promising direction.

On Tuesday night, as the member might be aware, I was at the AGM for the Mercury. It was very pleasing to hear the board's new strategic plan and its plans for a new sustainable business model, which I am very impressed with. The new business model is going to be based on a subscription membership base. That will provide opportunities for members not only to see films at the Mercury but to develop their skills as emerging filmmakers with some of the resources that are there. Co-chair of the Mercury, Peter Hanlon, said at the AGM that the Mercury will now be providing everything needed to produce exceptional quality film except, of course, the creativity that's needed—that is, those incredibly talented filmmakers.

I was very happy to share with members at the Mercury AGM that the government is going to be providing a grant of $150,000 over two years to help with the implementation of that new business model. The membership-based approach at the Mercury will make sure its members continue to be provided with the opportunity to develop their skills and have their work showcased to local audiences. I hope that grant funding will continue, with the SAFC Board supporting the Mercury with a $240,000 industry development grant. That was confirmed on Tuesday night as well.

The board, including co-chairs Peter Hanlon, Kirsty Stark and CEO Lisa Bishop, has done an incredible amount of work since late last year to get the Mercury back on track with a really solid foundation. It does have a very positive future ahead. As I said to the members at the AGM, we really need the membership support to make sure this independent association continues to be able to support the emerging film sector.

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