The Film Quota Act, long title the New South Wales Cinematograph Films (Australian Quota) Act was an act of legislation passed in September 1935 that came into force on 1 January 1936.[1]
Under the Act it was compulsory that in the first year of operation five per cent, of the films distributed in New South Wales must be Australian productions, the percentage to increase yearly for five years when it becomes 15 per cent.[2]
The Act was introduced at the behest of New South Wales' Premier Bertram Stevens. The quota did inspire production of some films such as Rangle River and The Flying Doctor.[3]
However its ultimate impact turned out to be limited due to a loophole in the legislation. The use of the word "acquire" meant it was considered that the Act was drafted to reflect exhibition of films, not ensure production; distributors argued they had no obligation to produce movies.[4] Some American distributors made veiled threats to remove Hollywood films from exhibition.[5][6]
In 1937 the New South Wales government decided not to force distributors to participate in production. Similar legislation was passed in Victoria but was never proclaimed. By the end of the decade the quota law had ceased to operate in practice.[7]
The Quota Act has been called a "frustrating false dawn" for the Australian film industry , the "greatest ever chance" at "creating a genuinely sustainable film industry" that "withered on the vine."[1]
See also
References
- ^ a b Vagg, Stephen (7 September 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: Rangle River". Filmink. Retrieved 7 September 2025.
- ^ "Advertising". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 27 May 1936. p. 15. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ Vagg, Stephen (26 September 2025). "Forgotten Australian Films: The Flying Doctor". Filmink. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- ^ "FILM QUOTA". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 30 December 1936. p. 7. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ "THE FILM QUOTA". The Sydney Morning Herald. National Library of Australia. 1 April 1937. p. 8. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
- ^ "Variety - Lantern: Search, Visualize & Explore the Media History Digital Library".
- ^ Early history of Australian Film, Screen Australia Archived 5 April 2015 at the Wayback Machine accessed 24 August 2014
External links
- Copy of Act
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