{PRESS RELEASE from NSW Govt}
The Rees Government is planning for the future of the state’s important Creative Industries with yesterday’s release of a report outlining the creative sector’s economic contribution to NSW, Minister for State Development Ian Macdonald said.
Minister Macdonald said the report – “Creative Industry Insights” and its accompanying “Economic Fundamentals” – includes detailed economic data and analysis of a range of creative industries.
“NSW is already the Australian leader in 10 out of 11 creative industry sub-sectors – design, publishing, advertising, architecture, visual arts, music, television, film, performing arts and radio,” Minister Macdonald said.
“We’re committed to growing these areas as well as going for gold in the high value 11th sector of electronic games,” he said.
“Creative industries have become vital to global cities like Sydney and it is obviously vital the Government has a plan for future development. Creative Industries create new business and job opportunities and develop and attract highly talented people. They also promote innovation across the economy and fuel our cultural vibrancy.
“At a time of global economic turmoil, it is important that we work to strengthen our position in key areas or our economy such as creative industries.”
Minister Macdonald said the Government plans a campaign to enrich the sector.
“Options could include more education and training, direct funding of creative activities, detailed and ongoing research and development of strategic growth opportunities and greater co-ordination of information and promotions,” he said.
“More than 200 stakeholders were consulted in the preparation of the Insights report. Industry groups will also be invited to take part in policy-setting workshops later this year to give advice on which areas the Government needs to focus on.”
Mr Macdonald said creative industries are economically important to NSW for four major reasons – they employ 5% of our workers, generate jobs at twice the rate of other industries, provide wages 18% higher than average, and NSW dominates almost all creative sectors.
The Insights report is available at: www.business.nsw.gov.au/innovation/projects.htm