Peter Garrett MP
Member for Kingsford Smith
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts
“The AFI Awards have capped off a wonderful year for Australia’s film industry,” Labor’s Arts Spokesman, Peter Garrett, said today. “The success of a number of top Aussie films this year gives renewed confidence that the fortunes of the industry are improving despite recent low box office takings and indifferent support from the Howard Government.”
“The star of the show on Saturday night was Look Both Ways, a movie made by first time director Sarah Watt. Her emergence as an original and creative writer/director shows we continue to produce first rate movie makers in this country.”
“The awards to established names Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett and Noni Hazlehurst were a terrific recognition of their great craft. The depth of talent within the Australian film industry at the moment is a credit to an industry which performs exceptionally well considering our small market size.”
“There remains, however, a real need for the Government to implement a framework which builds on the success of our moviemakers and performers. Great changes are in the wind especially in the media domain and the Government needs to listen and act on the views of this vibrant industry. Critically it needs to establish a more effective framework for increased private investment and ensure the review of 10B and 10BA Film Tax Incentives is completed in a timely fashion.”
“The Senate Legal and Constitutional References and Legislation Committee have received submissions from the arts community on the new Anti-Terror Bill that the sedition component of the bill is highly problematic”.
“Members of the artistic community have been unanimous in their opposition to the sedition provisions. There is no place in a free and fair society, where artists can perform without fear of prosecution, for sedition laws that constrain free expression. This is something that Labor has been saying all along.”