Hobbit Bills Passes NZ Parliament

New Zealand Parliament successfully passed 66 to 50 the so called "Hobbit Bill" that was one of the conditions that Warner Bros demanded when it agreed to keep production in New Zealand.

During the debate, Labour's David Parker accused the government of playing a "political game". I don't even think Warner Brothers demanded this. There wasn't a problem to be fixed, there have been no problems in the film industry for the last five years," he said.

Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson says the security of workers in the film industry and The Hobbit in New Zealand has been secured with the passing of the bill. "It clarifies what is already widespread industry practice - that actors, crew members and other production personnel in the film industry who sign on as independent contractors are just that, independent contractors. If they sign on as an employee, they are an employee."