Payments for film production something to consider, Government concedes as new Malaga studio hits milestone

WA taxpayers could fork out millions of dollars to filmmakers to bring movie productions to Perth, the State Government has conceded, as it marked a milestone in construction on the site of a new studio facility. Revealing the first beams had been installed on one of four new sound stages at the Perth Film Studios in Malaga, Acting Premier Rita Saffioti and Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said the new $233 million facility would be a major draw card for directors and producers. While the studio’s multi-hectare size had already drawn interest from filmmakers, Mr Templeman said production payments would be a “consideration”. It comes after the NSW Government reportedly paid $50 million for Mad Max: Furiosa to be filmed in that State, and off the back of the WA Government paying for a number of high-profile events to be held in WA, including Coldplay and the WWE. “Western Australia already is very famous for attracting high-quality events that attract and create great opportunities for the economy and deliver better jobs and supportive of existing businesses,” Mr Templeman said. “Those sorts of considerations are considerations for the future as part of our screen strategy and as part of our diversification of the economy. “We recognize that the creative industries, and in the area of screen, is highly fertile and it produces and supports hundreds of jobs.” Mr Templeman said the facility, set to be opened in 2026, would also allow the State to draw on Federal government support for films as well. Ms Saffioti refused to be drawn on the “hypothetical” of paying for films to be made in WA but said there was a link between “content and tourism”. “What I think is really exciting is that there is a possibility to help promote WA and Perth to the rest of the world through film and other content,” she said. “What we’ve seen with some particular successful series is major impacts on tourism. “While some of the some of the more blockbusters where you wouldn’t really know where they’re being filmed, but those that have local content in particular, can help show off the state — I think there’s huge potential.”