Latest news with #CookGovernment
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
WA's film and TV production boom is set to continue
The screen production boom looks set to continue in WA, after the State's peak funding body, Screenwest, announced on Monday the nation's richest incentive of its kind for filmmakers. The Cook Government can't afford for its ballyhooed Malaga film studio to become a white elephant, but attracting productions to the West depends less on facilities — there are already well-established options in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria — and more on the bottom line for studios. In a tacit acknowledgement of this fact, Screenwest has boosted its post-production rebate scheme, which had previously been capped at 10 per cent of qualifying expenditure for productions with budgets over $500,000. From July 1, the rebate, which is funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, will increase to 20 per cent, doubling the payments made to eligible bigger-budget projects for post-production, digital and visual effects carried out in WA. The new rebate is in addition to a 30 per cent post-production Federal Government offset for productions of at least $500,000. Studios spread post-production work around the globe to chase the most attractive incentives, which is why you'll see VicScreen and the South Australian Film Corporation listed in the closing credits of even the biggest Marvel movies. The increased WA incentive should see the Screenwest logo appear more frequently in the credits now, but the funding body's chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said it's about something more than brand recognition. The second season of The Twelve. Credit: Binge 'This is . . . squarely aimed at encouraging more post-production projects to Western Australia to do business with our skilled practitioners, from editors to sound designers, VFX artists and animators,' Ms Bestall said. 'WA has a steady pipeline of scripted and documentary productions, which are being filmed on-location and in studios across our state, and that is only going to increase next year when the Perth Film Studios open in Malaga. 'But many of these projects take the next phase of their production elsewhere. We want to make sure our State is being considered as a good place to do business for all facets of screen production.' Nicolas Cage in The Surfer. Credit: Madman The WA economy received nearly $65 million worth of screen production expenditure in the past financial year, up from $41.5 million the previous year. Productions brought to WA by existing incentives in the past financial year included Season 2 of The Twelve, starring Sam Neill, and The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, which can currently be seen in cinemas.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Amber-Jade Sanderson: WA primed for growth in global green energy transition
From wind and solar to big batteries and hydrogen, WA has a plan to achieve net zero by 2050. The Cook Government is embracing the challenges and opportunities presented by the energy transition. Our natural resources underpin our prosperity, drive our national economy, and supply the world. With that responsibility comes a share of emissions that are not just our own. Reducing these emissions will be good for West Australians and good for the world. We remain committed to achieving net zero through a credible trajectory — a trajectory specific to WA, not based on what other States and Territories are doing or think they can do. WA is the only State committed to getting out of coal by 2030, and we are on track to do that, reducing emissions from State-owned electricity generation by about 80 per cent by 2030. The global energy transition is an unprecedented opportunity to grow WA's economy, and create and sustain new, high-value jobs for the future. Our job is supporting our heavy industry to decarbonise to meet national emissions targets. We do that by investing in technology and transformational renewable energy projects, such as Synergy's big battery program, Pilbara Energy Transition, Pilbara Hydrogen Hub and the Vanadium battery in Kalgoorlie to name just a few. Not only is it an energy transition, it is the next economic transition. It will create and transition jobs in emerging green industries including batteries and critical minerals, hydrogen and ammonia and green metals. As a resource-rich State with an abundance of land, solar and wind required for renewable power generation, WA is primed to become a global renewable energy powerhouse. The Cook Government has committed $5.7 billion to renewable energy projects including transmission upgrades to replace coal-fired power stations while remaining realistic that we will need gas as a transition fuel. This transition is a whole-of-government priority. Collie's transition is a world-leading example of how governments can support local communities through the transition, ensuring they have sustainable industries and jobs. Our commitment to net zero is serious, and so is our Made in WA plan. Our reform agenda is focused on providing the settings that allow us to harness the State's natural resources to drive the clean energy transition, diversify the economy, and supply the world with the minerals and energy needed to decarbonise. I agree with Professor Peter Newman, who wrote in these pages in May on one point: green hydrogen is needed in industry, agriculture and mining to assist in the energy transition. That's why I attended the World Hydrogen Summit in Rotterdam last month to deliver the message that WA's ambition to develop a world-class hydrogen industry is stronger than ever. We are looking for partners willing to engage and invest and in response we can act to de-risk multiple projects at the same time, giving proponents greater certainty around access to critical infrastructure, reliable and affordable clean energy, and long-term offtake partners. We have a plan to achieve net-zero; it is a Made in WA plan. Amber-Jade Sanderson is the Minister for Energy and Decarbonisation.
West Australian
4 days ago
- Business
- West Australian
Screenwest lures film and TV projects to the West with Australia's richest post-production screen incentive
The screen production boom looks set to continue in WA, after the State's peak funding body, Screenwest, announced on Monday the nation's richest incentive of its kind for filmmakers. The Cook Government can't afford for its ballyhooed Malaga film studio to become a white elephant, but attracting productions to the West depends less on facilities — there are already well-established options in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria — and more on the bottom line for studios. In a tacit acknowledgement of this fact, Screenwest has boosted its post-production rebate scheme, which had previously been capped at 10 per cent of qualifying expenditure for productions with budgets over $500,000. From July 1, the rebate, which is funded by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, will increase to 20 per cent, doubling the payments made to eligible bigger-budget projects for post-production, digital and visual effects carried out in WA. The new rebate is in addition to a 30 per cent post-production Federal Government offset for productions of at least $500,000. Studios spread post-production work around the globe to chase the most attractive incentives, which is why you'll see VicScreen and the South Australian Film Corporation listed in the closing credits of even the biggest Marvel movies. The increased WA incentive should see the Screenwest logo appear more frequently in the credits now, but the funding body's chief executive Rikki Lea Bestall said it's about something more than brand recognition. 'This is . . . squarely aimed at encouraging more post-production projects to Western Australia to do business with our skilled practitioners, from editors to sound designers, VFX artists and animators,' Ms Bestall said. 'WA has a steady pipeline of scripted and documentary productions, which are being filmed on-location and in studios across our state, and that is only going to increase next year when the Perth Film Studios open in Malaga. 'But many of these projects take the next phase of their production elsewhere. We want to make sure our State is being considered as a good place to do business for all facets of screen production.' The WA economy received nearly $65 million worth of screen production expenditure in the past financial year, up from $41.5 million the previous year. Productions brought to WA by existing incentives in the past financial year included Season 2 of The Twelve, starring Sam Neill, and The Surfer, starring Nicolas Cage, which can currently be seen in cinemas.
West Australian
25-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Time to deliver on housing promises
The spotlight will be on the first budget of the newly re-elected Cook Government when it is handed down in late June. For many Western Australians, housing continues to be one of the most pressing issues which will receive funding initiatives in this budget. The squeeze of rising living costs, declining affordability and ongoing housing supply shortages are still being felt in many households across the state. To that end, UDIA WA welcomed WA Labor's housing commitments during the election campaign, many of which closely aligned with our own advocacy. Now, as we approach the first budget of the new term, we are expecting these promises to be backed with the funding needed to implement them. While the budget is likely to focus on those already-announced initiatives, there is also an opportunity to look at further initiatives to addressing the state's housing challenges. With smart, targeted investment, the State Government can partner with the private sector to deliver even more homes faster. Among the key commitments we expect to see funded is the $20.6 million to expand stamp duty exemptions for off-the-plan and under-construction homes by $100,000, including townhouses, villas and apartments. The State Government also promised $110.7 million to lift the First Home Owner Rate of duty threshold to $500,000, with discounts available for homes priced up to $700,000 in Perth and $750,000 in regional areas. We also anticipate $75 million for a Build to Rent Kickstart Fund and a $210 million boost to the Keystart shared equity scheme for up to 1000 new apartments and townhomes purchased off-the-plan or under construction, which will help deliver up to 1000 new homes for Western Australians. The $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund is another significant initiative we fully support. Infrastructure investment is essential to unlocking housing supply and bringing new developments to life. But we can't stop there. UDIA WA is urging further funding to support the delivery of new homes and to help keep housing within reach for more people. This includes ensuring service agencies have the capital budgets they need to avoid delays to residential land development. We'd also like to see further funding allocated to build on the initial $400 million Housing Enabling Infrastructure Fund to catalyse residential development in key growth areas, as well as an extension and expansion of the existing Infrastructure Development Fund to boost the viability of apartment projects. UDIA WA has also recommended reforms to improve government efficiency and coordination in planning and approvals. Overall, this budget is an opportunity for the Cook Government to follow through and make a real difference to the future of housing in WA.
West Australian
23-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Stephen Dawson urges Kimberley families to grab student assistance payment before deadline
Kimberley parents are being encouraged to cash in on the WA Student Assistance Payment by Minister for the Kimberley Stephen Dawson. The payment offers $150 per child in kindy or primary school and $250 per high school student, in a bid to help pay for school essentials, from uniforms and school shoes to laptops. 'The Cook Government is committed to supporting regional families with the cost of living, and this payment is one way we're delivering on that commitment,' Mr Dawson said. Families have until Friday, July 4 to make their claim, and are told the easiest way to do it is through the ServiceWA app. For those who need a hand with the digital side of things, there's also in-person help available at libraries across the Kimberley including a Digital Assist Kiosk at Broome Library. Education Department staff are also hitting the road to help families and schools navigate the process. 'We encourage families to claim their payment as soon as possible to help with education expenses,' Mr Dawson said. 'The ServiceWA app is the most efficient and secure way to make a claim for WASAP, but families can also claim through our alternate methods using the web or paper form.' To find out more or to get support, visit
