Digital Cinema Network and Screen Australia

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) considered a dispute between Digital Cinema Network and Screen Australia concerning Screen Australia's decision to refuse grants under the Supporting Cinemas Retention, Endurance and Enhancement of Neighbourhoods Fund (SCREEN Fund).

The primary legal issue before the Tribunal was whether Screen Australia's decision to refuse grants under the SCREEN Fund was reviewable by the AAT. Specifically, the Tribunal had to determine if it possessed jurisdiction to hear the application for review under section 25 of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal Act 1975 (Cth).

The Tribunal reasoned that the SCREEN Fund was established by the *Screen Australia Act 2008* (Cth) and its associated regulations. It found that the legislation governing the SCREEN Fund did not confer jurisdiction on the AAT to review decisions made by Screen Australia regarding the allocation of grants. Consequently, the Tribunal concluded that it lacked the necessary jurisdiction to entertain the application.

The application was therefore dismissed.