3. Hon TREVOR MALLARD (Labour—Hutt South) Link to this
to the Minister for Economic Development
What specific actions has he taken since becoming Minister for Economic Development to secure the New Zealand film industry?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE (Minister for Economic Development) Link to this
I have undertaken a number of activities to secure the future of the film industry. I have been looking closely at the capacity constraints that will hold back the expansion of the industry in New Zealand. I have examined closely the commercial motivations for the major studios to bring productions to New Zealand. My most important specific action recently was to bring the Screen Production and Development Association and New Zealand Actors Equity to the table to begin discussions about improvements and updates to the Pink Book. That is something that has not happened since the Australian union showed up in 2006.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Will he accept the congratulations of the Labour Opposition on the work he did at that meeting on 14 October, which all of those present agreed sorted out all industrial relations issues in relation to The Hobbit that were live at that time?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
At that meeting I made it very clear to participants that we were not there to discuss The Hobbit or to negotiate contracts for The Hobbit. Although some there insisted on mentioning The Hobbit, it was not part of the discussions. I also say there is a difficulty inasmuch as the moment the ban on work on this film was put in place by the International Federation of Actors, at the behest of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance of Australia, the film was in some trouble. I think it is totally wrong to characterise that meeting in this way, although as it was the first meeting for 4 years, clearly there was some progress.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
Will he accept the congratulations of the Opposition on the very good work that he did at that meeting in bringing the parties together?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Inasmuch as the parties agreed to accept an invitation, that is as far as it goes.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
On how many occasions has he visited Warner Bros or New Line Cinema executives in the last 2 years?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I have had discussions with New Line and Warner Bros, but I do not want to discuss matters that were in those conversations while we are at a delicate point. I will say that the previous Government’s approach to having lavish dinners and other such functions in Los Angeles—
Mr SPEAKERThe question had nothing to do with what the previous Government had done. The question was simply about how many occasions the Minister had visited. What the previous Government might have done is not relevant to that question.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
If the member is going to say how many times he has visited, then I will sit down.
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
As I said, I have had conversations with New Line and Warner Bros. I have not visited them. I have also not had $140,000 dinners, described as the “hangi and hui” approach by Tem Morrison.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What adjustments has he made to the Large Budget Screen Production Grant Scheme as a result of those phone discussions with Warner Bros or New Line cinema over the last 2 years?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
There has been no need to make those adjustments. The concern in this case is about the industrial relations situation that arose out of this extraordinary resolution, passed by the International Federation of Actors, instigated by the Australian union, and presented as an ultimatum to the producers of this film.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
If the Minister says there is no need to adjust the grant, can he give an undertaking to this House that the grant will not be adjusted over the next 12 months?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
We need to get through the discussions that will take place today and see what it will take for this production to remain in New Zealand.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
So how much is the Government prepared to pay by way of extra grant, this afternoon?
Hon Dr Nick SmithHon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
I do not want to use the words that some of my colleagues are using about Labour, because I think it has been very good that Labour has actually kept out of this argument. Mr Mallard has, himself, posted on his blog site a statement about how difficult these things are, and that with additional help it would all be sorted out with a cocktail party. We do not think that is the case. We will have discussions this afternoon and out of those there will be decision points for both the producers and the Government.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
What action, other than facilitating the 14 October meeting and two telephone calls, has he taken over the last month to secure The Hobbit in New Zealand?
Hon GERRY BROWNLEE Link to this
Until the issue arose—that is, the threat was put to the producers by way of a work ban issued by the Australian union backed by the New Zealand Council of Trade Unions—there was no need for the Minister to be involved.
Hon Trevor Mallard Link to this
I raise a point of order, Mr Speaker. Taking your advice, I asked a simple and direct question as to what action over the last month other than two phone calls and facilitating the meeting the Minister has taken to secure The Hobbit in New Zealand. I do not think that that question was addressed. One might infer that there was none, but I think it would be—