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Thread ID: 113456	2010-10-20 19:11:00	Commie union, hope they are happy now.	prefect (6291)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1146552	2010-10-27 09:12:00	I hope you all realise that employment laws could well change as a result of the discussions and that Actors are contractors rather than employees.The impression I got was that the existing grey area would be clarified, rather than any major changes to the current situation. Hobbit movies to be made in New Zealand Prime Minister John Key this evening announced an agreement has been reached between the New Zealand Government and Warner Bros that will enable the two Hobbit movies to be directed by Sir Peter Jackson to be made in New Zealand. "I am delighted we have achieved this result," Mr Key says. "Making the two Hobbit movies here will not only safeguard work for thousands of New Zealanders, but it will also follow the success of the Lord Of The Rings trilogy in once again promoting NZ on the world stage." As part of the arrangement the Government will introduce legislation in Parliament tomorrow to clarify the distinction between independent contractors and employees as it relates to the film production industry. It is this clarification that will guarantee the movies are made in New Zealand. "The industrial issues that have arisen in the past several weeks have highlighted a significant set of concerns for the way in which the international film industry operates," Mr Key says. "We will be moving to ensure that New Zealand law in this area is settled to give film producers like Warner Bros the confidence they need to produce their movies in this country." Mr Key confirmed the Government has also moved to widen the qualifying criteria for the Large Budget Screen Production Fund to improve New Zealand's competitiveness as a film destination for large budget films like The Hobbit. The impact of this will mean an additional rebate for The Hobbit movies of up to US$7.5 million per picture, subject to the success of those movies. The Government and Warner Bros have agreed to work together in a long-term strategic partnership to promote New Zealand as both a film production and tourism destination. "My Government is determined to use the opportunity that the Hobbit movies present to highlight New Zealand as a great place to visit, as well as a great place to do business," Mr Key says. The strategic marketing opportunities for New Zealand from the movies will be worth tens of millions of dollars. The Government will offset US$10 million of Warner Bros marketing costs as part of the strategic partnership. New Zealand will also host one of the world premieres of the Hobbit movies. "I'm very pleased that we have been able to ensure that the winning combination of Sir Peter Jackson, New Line, Warner Bros, MGM and New Zealand as a whole will have the opportunity to produce these movies together," Mr Key says. "It's good to have the uncertainty over, and to have everyone now full steam ahead on this project."	Erayd (23)
1146553	2010-10-27 09:18:00	The impression I got was that the existing grey area would be clarified, rather than any major changes to the current situation. I would certainly hope so but Laws get drafted in a hurry under urgency while MPs sleep and therefore said laws may have unexpected results. :(	Snorkbox (15764)
1146554	2010-10-27 09:20:00	I would certainly hope so but Laws get drafted in a hurry under urgency while MPs sleep and therefore said laws may have unexpected results. :(Very true!	Erayd (23)
1146555	2010-10-27 09:46:00	Just heard on the TV3 news that the law will be passed in Parliament tomorrow so who knows what's in it? No select committee. No consultation.	Snorkbox (15764)
1146556	2010-10-27 10:12:00	So the sycophantic little toads in Wellington have obligingly leapt through the Warner Bros hoops - merely pausing to ask "How high Sir?" "May I lick the other boot now?" What a banana republic performance, but on the good side it kept the Government away from all the other moronic stunts it could have pulled. Hobbits? More like a bunch of Muppets.	R2x1 (4628)
1146557	2010-10-27 10:30:00	Bend over, take it with a smile if there's a dollar at stake.	zqwerty (97)
1146558	2010-10-27 17:44:00	So the sycophantic little toads in Wellington have obligingly leapt through the Warner Bros hoops - merely pausing to ask "How high Sir?" "May I lick the other boot now?" What a banana republic performance, but on the good side it kept the Government away from all the other moronic stunts it could have pulled. Hobbits? More like a bunch of Muppets. Stay with the humour R2 you sound more credible that way. www.nzherald.co.nz A source close to the negotiations told the Herald that the talks had been "tough" and that Mr Key's earlier estimates of a 50/50 chance of success were not exaggerated. While the high New Zealand dollar - which has risen 50 per cent in the past few months - was a factor, Warner Bros had been prepared to cope with it until unions instituted an international actors' boycott. Only then did the Hollywood company seriously consider other destinations, the source said. When negotiations began this week, Warner Bros made it clear that the main issue was employment law and the status of employees and independent contractors. Once that issue looked likely to be resolved, the discussions turned to money, the source said. Mr Key said Warner Bros had asked for a lot more money than was provided in the final memorandum of understanding, and tax incentives in other countries were still far more attractive than in New Zealand.	Safari (3993)
1146559	2010-10-27 18:01:00	Logic? Gone by lunchtime. Enjoy your messy bit of pottage.	R2x1 (4628)
1146560	2010-10-27 18:13:00	Let us remember,the cause of this fracas was the greed and power play of the unions. Detestable bunch.	Cicero (40)
1146561	2010-10-27 18:21:00	From what media coverage there has been, it sounds like all the law change is going to do is say if you are hired as a contractor, then you can't then take the employer to court later on claiming you're an employee.	somebody (208)
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