Judicial decisions and reviews by outside bodies

On 1 May 2019 the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT0 handed down its decision in the matter of Seven Network (Operations) Limited and Screen Australia.

The AAT affirmed Screen Australia’s decision that the 2017 television series Bride & Prejudice was not a documentary for the purposes of the producer offset legislation (the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997).

Freedom of information

Twelve valid requests for information under the FOI Act were received during 2018/19 and information that was not exempt was provided. Screen Australia provided quarterly and annual statistics to the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner on the number and nature of the applications received.

Privacy

No complaints, requests for information or requests for amendment under the Privacy Act were received during 2018/19.

Public Interest Disclosures

No Public Interest Disclosures were received under the Australian Government’s Public Interest Disclosure Scheme during the reporting period. Screen Australia provided information to the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman for its Annual Report on the operation of the scheme.

Effects of Ministerial Directions

During 2018/19, there were no Ministerial Directions received.

Reports from Parliamentary Committees relating to Screen Australia

The 2017/18 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts’
Report on the inquiry into the Australian film and television industry referenced Screen Australia at Recommendations 9 and 10.

The 2018/19 Senate inquiry into the Economic and cultural value of Australia content on broadcast, radio and streaming services (Greens) referenced Screen Australia at Recommendations 5 and 6.

Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 (311A (1))

Screen Australia made the following payments, excluding GST, to market research organisations:

• A C Nielsen Research Pty Ltd: $42,896
• Oztam Pty Ltd: $58,934
• Rentrak Australia Pty Ltd: $25,698

Contingency Liability Statement

As required by Part 7, Subsection 43 of the Screen Australia Act 2008, the following statement is furnished:

a) No new guarantees were provided by the Board during the year ended 30 June 2019
b) There is no amount subject to guarantee as at 30 June 2019.

Indemnity and insurance premiums

Screen Australia’s Comcover premium covers the normal general and property risks as well as directors’ and officers’ liability. Workers’ compensation is insured through Comcare Australia.

Work health and safety

Screen Australia is committed to promoting measures to ensure the health, safety and welfare of its employees at work. Screen Australia has in place a Health and Safety Management Arrangement that provides the mechanisms for consultation and dispute resolution between Screen Australia, its workers and its staff-elected Health and Safety Representatives, and sets out the way the Health and Safety Committee is constituted.

In 2018/19, Screen Australia arranged an on-site influenza vaccination service open to all staff, and 44 staff members availed themselves of this service.

Reimbursement for the cost of influenza vaccinations was also offered to all staff.

Nil incidences were reported to Comcare under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and nil notices were issued or investigations conducted under the Act.