Mayor’s movie demand

MAYOR Tom Tate has told the Federal Government to stop being tight and dig deep to lure a big-budget movie to the Gold Coast.

Councillor Tate yesterday backed Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s push for the Morrison Government to lift the tax offset from 16.5 per cent to 30 per cent so the state can lock in a mystery production.

The Federal Government was yesterday noncommittal towards providing assistance, something the Mayor said was unacceptable.

“(Annastacia Palaszczuk) is a great champion of the film industry. She’s done tremendously well with other films like Dora and the Lost City of Gold. I think she’ll be just as successful,” Cr Tate said.

“This Federal Government has gotten tighter in the film and TV section. I hope we can still win Australia major features, otherwise Canada will take it because they are more competitive right now.

“I view it as a very good investment because if you get the tax incentive away, this comes and creates jobs. It’s not just actors, behind the cameras and organising. It’s all the prop makers, the sandwich makers, drinks – the investment returns tenfold.”

The Bulletin understands Byron Bay-based Hollywood star Chris Hemsworth is keen to film on the Gold Coast and had made no secret about wanting to work closer to home.

The office of Communication Minister Paul Fletcher did not answer questions yesterday about whether it would step in. A spokeswoman said the Government was spending $140 million over four years to attract big-budget productions to Australia.

“The program involves a competitive assessment process against a number of eligibility criteria,” she said.

“To date, incentives have been provided to support 10 productions, three of which filmed in Queensland in 2019.”

Ms Palaszczuk confirmed the State Government had provided funding for the mystery project under its Production Attraction Incentive, and that she had written to the Prime Minister asking him to step in. She said the offset was needed to allow Australia to compete on a level playing field with other countries vying for screen projects.