Federal Budget flop for attracting international film blockbusters

The Turnbull Government has refused to help the Palaszczuk Government in the Federal Budget to attract more international film blockbusters and create more jobs in Queensland.

Premier and Arts Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said once again the Turnbull Government had refused a permanent increase in the location tax offset from 16.5% to 30%.

Warner Bros' Aquaman will spend more than AU$100 million in Queensland on physical production and create a minimum of 600 jobs.

Aquaman follows on from back-to-back international and domestic productions, including Pirates of the Caribbean 5, Thor: Ragnarok and Pacific Rim 2.

Aquaman feature film will be shot at Village Roadshow Studios on the Gold Coast and on location in South East Queensland.

Last financial year was Queensland’s best year in terms of attracting production expenditure since 2002-03 of more than $200 million.

“My goal is to keep our industry working at full capacity and provide opportunities to gain major production credits and showcase their skills to an international audience,” she said.

“We got no support from the Turnbull Government last night.”   

The Palaszczuk Government, through Screen Queensland, has invested an extra $30 million over four years to continue to attract large-scale film and high-end television productions to Queensland to increase jobs and expenditure into the State’s economy.

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Premier's office) 0417 263 791