The Editor

Your editorial of 20 March misrepresents the issues connected with the film Justice League (of America - its original Warner Bros title). The film industry is more than happy to promote the making of this film in Australia and recognises the local employment benefits and economic activity that it will generate but there is already a mechanism for this, and it's called the Offshore Incentive and it's set at 15% of the Australian expenditure of the film budget. On Justice League this could amount to $30 million. The Offshore Incentive attracts international films to Australia and has no regard for who owns the film or who makes it, as long as money is spent on local crews and services.

The Australian Producer Offset, which is set at 40% of the film budget and is being claimed by the producers of Justice League (of America), was introduced last year to assist films with "significant Australian Content". This is not limited to wholly Australian stories but in our view it requires that projects originate with Australians, the underlying films rights are owned by Australians and that Australians exercise creative control throughout production. The key is origination and we say that means from its inception as a film project.

It's not about denying Justice League. It is however about the correct categorisation of these films and the 15% Offshore Incentive is more than generous in the circumstances.

Geoff Brown
Executive Director
SPAA