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The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Media Release
A step forward for Australia’s film industry

The Minister for Arts and Sport today welcomed the establishment of a Film Industry Partnership by the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), following the recent release of the Partnership Charter.

“A key element of the Australian Government’s 2004 election policy A World Class Australian Film Industry was encouraging greater private sector investment in the local film sector, including a commitment to work with the ATO to ensure that prompt rulings on film productions can be issued,” Senator Kemp said.

“The Partnership is a significant initiative and establishes a forum for the ATO to work with stakeholders in the Australian film industry on issues concerning the administration of the tax system.”

The Partnership will consider issues affecting both the local and offshore film sectors and will improve communication between the ATO and film industry stakeholders. The objectives of the Partnership include:

  • ensuring measures within the tax system designed to support the film industry are effectively implemented;
  • identifying ways to minimise the costs of compliance;
  • increasing awareness of the film industry more broadly in the ATO;
  • developing better strategies to address compliance risks within the industry;
  • meeting the communication needs of the industry; and
  • increasing awareness of relevant taxation issues.

“Following the first meeting of the Partnership, held in March, the ATO has agreed to hold the forum approximately every three months to identify and discuss relevant taxation issues,” Senator Kemp said.

“I am pleased to see that one of the key issues the ATO has agreed to pursue through the forum is options for streamlining the product ruling process to ensure prompt product rulings.”

The next meeting of the Partnership is scheduled for 10 June 2005.

 

MELBOURNE
27 May 2005

Media contact: Michael Christo, 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040276