Federal Member for Macquarie, Susan Templeman said she has welcomed the allocation of a second round of funding to independent cinemas, the result of a government backflip just before Christmas.

But Shadow Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, says it’s hypocritical of the Liberals to take any credit.

“It is the height of hypocrisy for the government to be claiming credit for helping local independent cinemas,” Mr Burke said.

“This government was ready to cut independent cinemas off from government support, and it was only through pressure from the sector and from Labor that is reversed its position on Christmas Eve.

“Independent cinemas know who fights for them, and it’s not the coalition government.”

Ms Templeman said that, “while the funding can’t