Screen Producers urge more funding for ABC

The Screen Producers Association of Australia has urged the Federal Government to fork out more funding dollars to the ABC to encourage the production of new drama and bolster the economy.

The Screen Producers Association of Australia has urged the Federal Government to fork out more funding dollars to the ABC to encourage the production of new drama.

According to a study released yesterday by the Screen Producers Association of Australia if the Government increased spending on ABC productions from 30 hours to 90 hours it could generate up to 80 millionin economic growth.

SPAA’s Executive Director, Geoff Brown, said a cash injection of just 30 million would lead to an immediate stimulus in the television production industry that would create about 1000 extra jobs across the sector and a further 1550 jobs in flow-on industries.

Some high profile local directors and producers put their name behind the push for more funding. Speaking at the assembled gathering, Posie Graeme-Evans, the producer of McLeod’s Daughters, said 150 people were required to make every hour of TV drama: “This is a labour-intensive manufacturing industry.”

Source: The Age