Screen Australia has replaced its mandatory code of conduct for preventing sexual harassment with a new code developed jointly by the Screen Producers Australia (SPA) and the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
The new code covers discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and bullying.
In a statement, Screen Australia said the revised Screen Industry Code of Practice would enable employers to adopt a consistent approach to the important issues across the entire Australian screen industry.
“As such, Screen Australia will require projects approved for production funding from 1 July onwards to implement the Screen Industry Code of Practice rather than the Screen Australia Code of Conduct,” the statement said.
“Production companies must, so far as is reasonably practical, implement the Screen Industry Code of Practice as part of their obligations in the Screen Australia funding contract.”
It said however that the old code of conduct would remain in place for productions approved between 2 April 2018 and 30 June this year.
Screen Australia noted that sexual harassment in the screen industry had been a topic of discussion internationally for some time.
“The discourse in Australia made it apparent that awareness of what actually constitutes sexual harassment and assault was low,” it said.
“Willingness to report incidents and/or confusion over how to report incidents and to whom, were also topics of discussion.
“The Screen Australia Code of Conduct was designed to be an industry-leading initiative that raised awareness and set out existing legal responsibilities in plain language.”
It said the new Screen Industry Code of Practice also covered sexual harassment but extended responsibilities to other forms of harassment, discrimination and bullying.
The new 20-page code can be accessed on the Screen Producers Association website at this PS News link.
