Australia continues to be a premier destination for international screen production with Hollywood blockbuster, San Andreas, presented by New Line Cinema in association with Village Roadshow Pictures, to start filming in Queensland early next year.

Federal Minister for the Arts, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC said securing such a large budget production for Australia is a major coup that will bring substantial and ongoing economic benefits to Australia.

"The Australian Government began offering tax incentives to overseas productions in 2002 and since that time we have seen more than $2.6 billion in inward investment to Australia for film and television production," Senator Brandis said.

"The Australian Screen Production Incentive that I introduced in 2007 has proved to be a highly successful stimulant for investment in Australian productions and has served to attract, and secure, a number of major international films to Australia.

"I want to continue to make sure there is a strong return on the Government's incentives for the screen industry. It makes an important contribution to the Australian economy generating jobs in front of the camera, behind the scenes and beyond.

"Big budget films provide excellent opportunities for training and development. They also create tremendous opportunities for a broad range of industries such as transport, catering, construction and the wider hospitality industry."

Today's announcement builds on other recent film activity such as Unbroken, directed by Hollywood superstar Angelina Jolie.

http://arts.gov.au/news/2013/12/hollywood-blockbuster-san-andreas-film-australia