Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk writes to US film studio to save Gold Coast movie industry

HUNDREDS of Gold Coast jobs could be saved from extinction at the last minute under a deal being negotiated behind closed doors today in a move which could bring millions in the city’s economy.

PREMIER Annastacia Palaszczuk has written to the head of a Hollywood studio pleading for a 48-hour lifeline to save the planned Dora the Explorer film — and the hundreds of Gold Coast jobs it will bring.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison yesterday held firm and refused to budge on a request for extra incentive funding for the film, saying the State Government would be “well-placed’ to provide the necessary funding, thought to be around $4 million.

Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison (AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)

Despite potentially costing hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars for the Gold Coast, Mr Morrison said in a letter to the Premier that the Coalition Government contribution to the film would be “against alternative demands on the Commonwealth budget”.

The letter written to Lee Rosenthal

But in an 11th-hour plot twist befitting of a Hollywood blockbuster, Ms Palaszczuk has written to Paramount Pictures’ physical production president Lee Rosenthal asking for more time before the company decides whether to take the film elsewhere.

The letter Annastacia Palaszczuk receieved from Scott Morrison.

GOLD COAST HAS 48 HOURS TO SAVE FILM INDUSTRY

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk holds a letter from Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

The Bulletin can reveal the Premier has also held an emergency meeting with Deputy Premier and State Treasurer Jackie Trad to discuss options.

Ms Palaszczuk took aim at the Turnbull Government in the letter and asked Paramount for more time.

“While the Federal Government continues to fail Queenslanders, my commitment to partnering with major production studios, like Paramount Pictures, to grow a sustainable screen industry is unwavering,” she wrote.

GOLD COAST FILM INDUSTRY ON THE BRINK

Dora the Explorer.

“For this reason I request your consideration of a 48-hour extension…to enable my Government to explore other options to secure the filming of Dora the Explorer.”

The Bulletin understands government leaders are expected to meet again today to stich together a rescue plan for the film industry.

The state and federal governments are at odds over calls for the location offset to be permanently lifted from 16.5 per cent to at least 30 per cent.

The Federal Government has approved one-off top-up payments to attract the filming of superhero blockbusters such as Thor: Ragnarok and Aquaman but has been unwilling to make it the standard.

Dora has been at the centre of a battle between the State and Federal Governments.

The State argues that the offset should be 30 per cent to make the city competitive as a filming location compared to New Zealand and the UK and the US state of Georgia.

The move, the Premier said, would provide greater certainty for the industry going forward and pay dividends through ongoing filming at Village Roadshow Studios.

The Bulletin yesterday revealed several films, including the newly released Tomb Raider and a Fast and the Furious spinoff, bypassed the city because of uncertainty over tax offsets.

The Bulletin understands Steve Ciobo, the Federal Member for Moncrieff and Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment, has been exploring opinions to help lure more overseas film and TV productions here.

Steven Ciobo(AAP Image/AFP Pool, Peter Parks)

“The Federal Government will look at a broader policy on tax offsets going into the future but in terms of this specific project (Dora the Explorer), it is something the Queensland Government can absolutely accommodate,” he said.

“It’s just a question of whether they are prepared to do it.”

Mr Ciobo said the Federal Government’s 16.5 per cent offset “dwarfs” any contribution the State Government makes to attract overseas productions.

“I understand the Queensland Government has set up a fund to attract film projects to Queensland and they have money in that fund to secure this project right now,” he said.

“If the Queensland Government is serious about this project they need to put their money where their mouth is — or is it just another political stunt by the Premier?

“Gold Coasters are sick and tired of the Premier playing political games.

“She needs to step up and match federal funding before putting her hand out for more money.”