Australia's arts minister Peter McGauran has announced that Antonio Zeccola, who founded and owns local distributor Palace Films and co-owns Palace Cinemas with Village Roadshow, has been appointed to the board of the Australian Film Commission (AFC).

He also confirmed that Southern Star executive Maureen Barron is to stay on in her role as AFC chair and complimented her on leading the organisation through a restructure and refocus. "Her re-appointment will provide continuity as the AFC finalises this operational restructure and concentrates on its core business, which is project, industry and practitioner development," said McGauran.

In addition, current AFC board member Louise Staley has been appointed deputy chair.

  • Producer Robert Le Tet and former public television executive Malcolm Long, who is one of the directors of the company that operates the World Movies pay-TV channel, have been appointed to the Australian Broadcasting Authority (ABA). Both will serve for three years part time. Australian communications minister Richard Alston also announced that Professor David Flint has been reappointed chair until October 2004.