Cuts to ABC programs and services appear inevitable after the government’s decision to slash the broadcaster’s funding by $84 million over three years.
Screen Australia is striving to ensure there are no cuts in funding for features, TV drama and children’s programming in the financial year starting July 1 while it’s forced to reduce the year’s operating budget by $5.2 million.
Screen Australia CEO Graeme Mason took to the podium this morning to address the future of the Australian screen industry.
The MEAA is awaiting a response from ABC managing director Mark Scott to its call for the broadcaster to minimise job losses resulting from the $120 million cut in funding over the next four years.
Further to yesterday's Federal Budget announcement, which discontinued the Australian Interactive Games Fund, Screen Australia has announced that, effective immediately, it will not accept any further applications for games funding.
Screen Australia will be $38 million worse off over the next four years due to the federal Budget cuts.
The ABC and SBS will lose a combined $43.5 million in funding over four years and the ABC's contract for the pan-Asian Australia Network is being terminated.