The Government has issued further advice about its announcement in the 2012-13 Federal Budget to update the legislation governing the Producer Offset to include a definition of “documentary” and related terms. The Producer Offset offers a refundable tax offset to eligible film and television productions, including documentaries.
A “documentary” in this context is a creative interpretation of actuality and does not include an infotainment or lifestyle program, or a magazine program. The Assistant Treasurer said relevant definitions will be consistent with the Australian Content Standard made by the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The new definition will be developed to align with relevant broadcasting legislation and long-standing industry practice, he said.
Consultation on the legislative amendment will be conducted by Treasury and an exposure draft of the proposed changes will be made available on the Treasury website when released. The changes would apply to productions commencing principal photography on or after 1 July 2012.
Source: Arts Minister media release SC 136/2012, 5 July 2012
[LTN 129, 6/7]