Screen Producers Australia (SPA) has appointed former ACT Chief Minister Kate Carnell as the inaugural chair of the SPA Council.
Carnell, who already chairs the Australian Made Campaign, has previously been part of SPA’s Screen Export Council and represented screen businesses through her work as the inaugural Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, a role she held from 2016 to 2021.
After serving as Chief Minister of the ACT Legislative Assembly from 1995 to 2000, her career has included stints as CEO of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Food and Grocery Council, and Beyond Blue. She currently serves as director of health tech platform Mable.
Carnell said she was pleased to continue supporting Australia’s screen producers, who are “at the heart of Australian cultural and economic storytelling”.
“The screen industry comprises many innovative and hard-working small businesses, and I am committed to ensuring they have the tools, resources, and advocacy they need to succeed—both here and on the global stage,” she said.
Carnell’s appointment follows the unveiling of the 2024/25 SPA Council in November, with Hoodlum Entertainment’s Tracey Vieira and SLR Productions’ Suzanne Ryan continuing in their roles as president and vice president, respectively.
Vieira said Carnell’s “unparalleled” experience in championing SMEs and deep connection to the screen sector make her the ideal choice for chair.
“At a time when our industry faces significant challenges—particularly around our industry getting a fair go in the new online streaming era, Kate’s leadership will be critical to ensuring the voices of our members are heard, and Australian stories continue to thrive,” she said.
SPA CEO Matthew Deaner said Carnell had “consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting the economic development of key Australian industries and the role of small businesses within them”.
“Kate’s appointment is the first of its kind at SPA. She understands the challenge of running small businesses, the power of collective advocacy, and the need for Australian-made products and services – which our members deliver,” he said.
“I look forward to working with Kate in her role and working to amplify SPA’s voice in public forums.”