Premier Jay Weatherill announces new taxpayer rebate to lure major film productions to Adelaide

MORE blockbuster productions like Thor and Game of Thrones could be lured to produce their special effects in Adelaide by boosting taxpayer handouts, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

MORE blockbuster productions like Thor and Game of Thrones could be lured to produce their special effects in Adelaide by boosting taxpayer handouts, Premier Jay Weatherill says.

The Government on Sunday announced the end of a $150,000 per film grants scheme for post production and visual effects, which will be replaced by a new “uncapped rebate”.

The Government will now cover 10 per cent of project expenditure, with no upper limit.

The Government says “the largest ever boost to the SA film industry” will “ensure” SA is competitive in attracting blockbuster films such as Thor: Ragnorak and Game of Thrones.

Mr Weatherill said the new scheme was “the most generous concession rebate system for films in the country and puts us in the cutting edge around the world”.

“SA is already winning an extraordinary number of fantastic projects,” he said. “We want SA jobs for South Australians. There couldn’t be a better jobs bonanza than in the film industry.

“We want to take it to the next level because of the scope of the opportunity that exists.”

SA companies including the Academy Award-nominated Rising Sun Pictures have already worked on big titles including Harry Potter, The Hunger Games and Batman Begins.

Mr Weatherill compared the film industry to carmaking, saying that if a government wanted to have a slice of the sector it needed to be willing to put taxpayer dollars on the table.

“We want to cash in on this global movement that is happening right now,” he said.

“We want to grab it. “We are going after it with this rebate.”

The Government expects “several hundred new jobs” to be created and an economic benefit of around $200 million to flow from the implementation of the expanded grants scheme.