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Date: 15 May 2001
The Bracks Government will help secure the long term viability of Victoria's dynamic arts industry with an extra $52 million over four years in operating funding and $26.6 million in capital funding.
Arts Minister Mary Delahunty said the Bracks Government's would ensure Victoria remained the arts and cultural capital of Australia.
"This Budget delivers a significant boost in the short term, but more importantly builds a future for an industry which provides jobs to thousands of Victorians," she said.
The new initiatives are:
- $31.6 million over four years towards industry development and investment in film, television and new media production;
- $13.2 million over four years to Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI);
- $7 million over four years to secure the long term artistic and financial viability of the Victorian major performing arts sector in line with Victoria's agreement to the joint Commonwealth/State funding model arising from the Nugent Inquiry.
The capital funding comprises:
- $10.3 million over three years towards a legislative compliance program for state-owned assets, including the North Melbourne Meat Market and the Victorian Arts Centre;
- $1.6 million over four years for the implementation of the library and community networks;
- $13.8 million in 2001-02 for technology infrastructure for the Australian Centre for Moving Image (ACMI);
- $800,000 in 2001-02 towards improvements at the Royal Exhibition Building.
"The film and television industry has been identified by the Bracks Government as an integral part of Victoria's arts sector," Ms Delahunty said.
"The $31.6 million boost follows the recommendations of the Film and Television Taskforce chaired by Sigrid Thornton," she said.
Ms Delahunty said as well as a significant increase for production investment, the $31.6 million allocation included $4 million over four years to the Melbourne Film Office.
"Victoria will once more be the envy of the other states in terms of domestic television drama and independent domestic feature film production, complemented by outstanding production support services," Ms Delahunty said.
"This funding translates to more jobs for Victorian actors, writers and production staff and will see the return of talent and expertise to guarantee Victoria's position as the place to be for the Australia's film and television industry," she said.
The Government has also provided a total of almost $27 million in capital and recurrent funding for The Australian Centre for the Moving Image, which will be Australia's leading screen cultural venue.
"It will not only deliver one of the first digital galleries in the world, but also the first purpose built venue tailored to both screen industry and public requirements.
"The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to Victoria's major performing arts organisations, providing an additional $7 million to bring the total funding to these organisations to $17.2 million over the next four years.
"The funding to Victoria's major performing arts organisations meets Victoria's commitment to the joint Commonwealth/State funding model arising from the Nugent Inquiry.
"It will enable our flagship companies to retain and develop the quality productions for audiences throughout Victoria," she said.
Ms Delahunty said the legislative compliance funding of $10.4 million over three years would enable State-owned assets, including the North Melbourne Meat Market and the Victorian Arts Centre, to improve access for people with a disability and ensure that they meet occupational health and safety codes.
"The Government has also provided $1.6 million over four years to strengthen the Statewide Library network through the Culture Online initiative. The first project is the Statewide Public Access Network Development, coordinated by the State Library Victoria," Ms Delahunty said.
"The Royal Exhibition Building is an important heritage icon in Victoria. The provision of $800,000 will maintain and enhance the heritage values and significance of the building and create additional exhibition space.
"The arts play a vital role in helping to build creative and socially cohesive communities. This State Budget clearly demonstrates the Government's ongoing commitment to the long-term viability of the arts and to their role in the lives of all Victorians," Ms Delahunty said.
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