Screen Producers respond to budget

Screen Producers Australia is concerned about what seems to be a disproportionate cut in funding to Screen Australia, particularly in gaming development.

Cuts in the federal budget have left Screen Australia, the key funding body for screen production in Australia, $38 million worse off over the next four years.

Part of that is the termination of the Australian Interactive Games Fund, which will mean a reduction of $10 million in 2014-2015.

Screen Producers Australia executive director Matthew Deaner says with the ABC and SBS also hit with budget cuts, the government needs to ensure it has a workable timetable so the cuts don't compromise the development and funding of screen content.

"The ABC, SBS and Screen Australia are essential partners to the independent production sector in Australia," he said in a statement.

"Their investments trigger millions of dollars of local and international financing into productions which employ thousands of Australians.

"We recognise the need for efficiencies, but they will take time to implement and we must make sure that the search for efficiencies does not undermine core business."

He did note that the government did not follow the Commission of Audit's recommendation to cut Screen Australia's budget in half and merge it with the Australia Council.

"As expected, the government has taken a more level-headed approach in this budget," he said.

"We will continue to discuss the most appropriate levers of support, with particular emphasis on the producer offset, to further drive investment and innovation in our industry."