The Howard Government has continued its war on Australian culture with an unprecedented attack on the Screensound Australia.  Their proposals are outlined in a Directions paper (see below) and will result in the institution being torn apart and aspects relocated to both Sydney and Melbourne.

Labor opposes this and has announced a policy to ensure the future success of the Australian Film and So9und Archive (Screensound): 12 February 2004 - Federal Labor's Plan to establish ScreenSound  Australia as a Statutory Authority.

Although the Australian Film Commission is now denying it, at least 15 jobs were to be lost under the AFC's plan and many people were given notice. The AFC has now embarked upon a so-called 'consultation process' to gather views and feedback.  This exercise has revealed the incredible support that Screensound has locally, nationally and internationally. But as you can see, I have my doubts about the AFC's intentions: 5 March 2004 - Film Commission ‘consultation’ a farce.

I will continue to add to this website and urge people to show their support by signing and distributing the Petition and providing your thoughts to the Howard Government about the proposals.  As you can see from this media release, 1 March 2004 - Save ScreenSound Petitions tabled , many people have demonstrated their support.

Please email messages of support to senator.lundy@aph.gov.au

Media Releases on this issue:

Download or print-out Petition

Media Release:

CPSU Screensound campaign website

Comment on the Directions paper:

I have published the paper in four parts on this website:

The following is an excerpt from the Directions paper and contains the details of where to provide comments to.

Management, staff, external stakeholders and interested parties are invited to provide comments on the proposals herein. 

If you wish to provide a written response, please ensure this is received by the AFC before

5pm, Friday 23 January 2004.

It is preferred that responses are received electronically at:

discussion@afc.gov.au

Postal address:

AFC
P O Box 3984
Sydney  NSW 2001.  

Fax:                                                02 9357 3595

If you have any queries about this process, please contact Juliana Payne, Corporate Liaison Executive, at the AFC on 02 9321 6475. 

Once feedback on the proposals has been taken into account, final recommendations as to the future programs and structure of the organisation will be considered by the AFC Commission at its meeting in February 2004.