helen coonan

The Rebate Issue: A Letter From the Gov’ner

12:50PM Logan Booker | Yes, Minister, we’re still talking about this. And we’re going to keep talking about it, even though it’s quite clear the Government couldn’t care less about the Australian games industry. Good on you to those who wrote to the Minister regarding the issue, and I sincerely hope you get a productive reply. Alas, judging from the letter Oz Kotakuite Martin received in response to his plea, my hopes have been dashed across the stones of uselessness and ignorance like a pair of old trousers. Need more proof of the Government’s distain? From the letter (which was written by one of Minister Coonan’s advisors): The Government’s Australian Screen Production Incentive, which was recently enacted, incorporates three components: Producer Offset; Location Offset; and Post, Digital and Visual (PDV) Offset. These … are paid against a production’s Qualifying Australian Production Expenditure (QAPE). That’s great, but what the heck does it have to do with games? While games are not eligible genres for the new offsets, this does not exclude game developers from providing content to eligible genres. For example, an Australian games developer could be contracted to provide content as a component of a film or television program. Such expenditure could be claimed as QAPE. So essentially developers are screwed unless they’re creating a game for TV or film? The only situation I can imagine where this would actually happen is if a developer was willing to indulge in tax fraud. What if you’re making a game based on an Aussie film or show? Doesn’t look like that would cut it either. All I can do is sigh… again. You can see the entire letter after the jump. More »

No Rebate For Australian Developers

1:31PM Logan Booker | Minister Helen Coonan has given the Game Developers’ Association of Australia’s (GDAA) proposal of a 40% rebate for game developers the shake of her head, according to IGN.AU. GDAA CEO Greg Bondar was understandably upset with the turn of events and the Government’s lack of support for the country’s growing games industry. From the IGN.AU story: We are continually encountering situations where large scale projects are being awarded to game development companies overseas as they’re able to provide a rebate incentive for companies in the game, film and entertainment industries to employ their services. Without the same sort of ‘carrot’ to dangle in their faces, we find that an enormous amount of business is being lost. When you read this comment made on ANZ game developer portal Sumea in regards to the story, the situation seems even more bizarre: Interestingly enough, both Firemint and Torus picked up a Commendation at the Governor of Victoria Export Awards on Tuesday night, which is an official recognition that games companies contribute to the export economy. Didn’t see any film makers get a mention. So what exactly does our Government think it’s doing? Or more accurately, Minister Coonan? Considering Auran had to seek overseas investment for Fury, it makes you wonder if the Government is paying attention to the industry at all. Minister Dismisses AU Games Industry [IGN.AU, via Sumea] More »