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Producers support reform for foreign visas

Producers call for a sensible approach to reform to allow more flexibility for visas for foreign talent.

2015-01-21_1524Film and Television Producers have backed a “sensible approach” to the government’s review of Temporary Work (Entertainment) Visas, following criticism of the proposal by the MEAA.

Foreign workers can currently be brought in to work temporarily in Australia on a subclass 420 visa after approval from Arts Minister George Brandis, consultation with the MEAA and proven employment benefit to Australia.

Matthew Deaner, Executive Director Screen Producers said, “The screen industry is changing rapidly and it is vital that we regularly review our competitiveness and growth, and in particular look at those mechanisms that have not been changed for many years. We must remove processes and regulation that inhibit our industry’s potential and at the same time acknowledge the market and our audience’s desire and need.

“We operate now more than ever in a global marketplace. Our industry benefits from this engagement. Our talented technicians, performers and creators work globally and the Australian industry in return is significantly larger than it would be if we were purely domestically oriented. We all benefit from international finance and talent. As do local and international audiences, as we deliver quality productions to their screens.

“We must ensure that our potential is not limited by uncertain, onerous and expensive bureaucratic processes that deter our local and international partners.

“On occasion there are projects in which the creative and commercial requirements demand our screen creators to be nimble in the way they construct their content.

“We will be looking to the Government’s Review of Temporary Work (Entertainment) Visa to deliver sensible reform that balances the needs of all parts of the screen industry and contribute to the continued growth of the sector to ensure greater employment not only for cast but also writers, directors, crew and producers.

“Screen Producers Australia advocates for a sensible approach. We know that Australian audiences love seeing Australian faces on their screens, however greater flexibility will ensure more production and more employment for all.”

But the MEAA says the proposal could threaten the livelihood of Australian actors, entertainers and crews.

Director of the MEAA’s Actors’ Equity section, Zoe Angus, has said, “Any attempts to dismantle industry protections that have created an incredible pool of talent that includes the likes of Cate Blanchett, Geoffrey Rush, Chris Hemsworth and Joel Edgerton will be fiercely resisted by MEAA and our members.”

7 Responses

  1. Freelance wages for locals has not changed in a big way in ten years – especially for Outside Broadcasts…. Camera, CCU etc…if they are getting foreigners in for less – is a big worry..

  2. The MEAA – of which I am a member, for some reason – is infamous for turning down applications for foreign actors (although being British seems to help your chances). I have several times been privy to discussions whereby foreign talent had to be overlooked because “the union won’t allow it”. I think most producers stopped trying in the 90s (unless they had significant foreign investors or network support) and I believe the industry has suffered for it. And yet we have Star Wars, Narnia, Pirates, Superman, filming here with tax insentives, and majority overseas creative (writers, actors, directors, producers) making stories with no Australian voice and all is fine. Sure, crews get work, but the movies could be made anywhere. In this area, the MEAA is hampering employment opportunities rather than protecting them.

  3. Have you seen this :

    change.org/p/peter-dutton-mp-stop-foreign-workers-from-undercutting-pay-rates-and-taking-australian-jobs-in-the-television-industry

    Wow – thank the govt and the MEAA for not protecting our jobs! I’ve been out of work for 2 months while 457’s are working all year round. The union won’t do anything and the Govt is backing more visa workers, apparently there is a shortage of Aussie workers? what a load of BS!

  4. David the M.E.A.A have on several occasions rejected the visa applications of international actors appearing in Australian productions. It was the reason why Top of the Lake moved to N.Z. So yes the M.E.A.A have stopped international actors working here. This is the entire issue.
    In the past the Labor government would let the Union decisions stand. At the moment the Liberal Government is over ruling.

    theaustralian.com.au/arts/film/roy-billing-hailed-for-challenging-meaa-on-jobs-for-foreign-actors/story-e6frg8pf-1227068216926?nk=8d893861bd72a30db88ac6943e2923ce

  5. It’s encouraging that Screen Producers Australia appear to be living in 2015 and that they recognise the global environment in which they operate and from which they greatly benefit. Deaner’s response is considered, sensible, and realistic

    On the other hand, the MEAA are stuck in the previous century. They want to stop overseas talent from coming in but, presumably, not the money from Hollywood studios filming and undertaking post-production here. They’re also apparently quite happy with the actors named in their “incredible pool of talent” mostly working overseas these days.

    1. MEAA has not stopped overseas actors from working here, they already appear in our film and TV. It wants to maintain safeguards to protect Aussie jobs. Likening the size of our industry to the US is a bit apples vs oranges argument (and even the US has complained about foreign actors taking their jobs, in the past). Given the amount of crew working on visas here it’s time to address loopholes.

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