Screen Producers Australia

On 18 November 2020, Screen Producers Australia (SPA) lodged an application, on behalf of itself and its current and future members, seeking authorisation for 10 years to:

·       collectively negotiate model terms of engagement with the Australian Writers’ Guild (AWG), Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) and the Australian Directors’ Guild (ADG)

·       give effect to existing contracts or arrangements containing model terms of engagement already negotiated with the AWG, MEAA and ADG

·       create new contracts or arrangements with current or future members of the AWG, MEAA and ADG that contain existing model terms of engagement and to give effect to those new contracts or arrangements, and

·       create new contracts or arrangements with current or future members of the AWG, MEAA and ADG that contain new model terms of engagement and to give effect to those new contracts or arrangements

(the Proposed Conduct).

On 13 August 2015, the ACCC granted authorisations A91484 and A91492 in respect of conduct substantially similar to that for which SPA now seeks authorisation. These authorisations expired on 4 September 2020.

On 16 December 2020 the ACCC granted interim authorisation to give effect to model terms of engagement agreed under authorisations A91484 and A91492 and to collectively negotiate new model terms with the AWG, MEAA and ADG, but not to create new contracts or arrangements with current or future members of the AWG, MEAA and ADG that contain new model terms of engagement or to give effect to those new contracts or arrangements.

The ACCC will progress its assessment of the application in a timely manner. An indicative timetable is set out below for your information.