Mr CREAN (Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts) (3:15 PM) —on indulgence—In advance of the Academy Awards on Monday, I want to record a note of recognition of Australia’s international screen industry. This year, 10 Australians have been nominated for Academy Awards, the highest number to have been nominated since 2000. On behalf of all members of the House, I want to congratulate all nominees and the production teams which have honed their talent to this level.

I would like to pay particular tribute to Australian Film Institute award winner Jacki Weaver, who has been nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Animal Kingdom and is only the second acting nominee for a performance in a film financed and produced here in Australia. The first was Geoffrey Rush for Shine, and Geoffrey Rush is also nominated this time, for Best Supporting Actor in The King’s Speech. I also want to congratulate those people behind the filmmaking, not just those who appear on the screen. Producer Emile Sherman has been nominated in the Best Picture category, also for The King’s Speech. Nicole Kidman has been nominated for Best Actress in the The Rabbit Hole.

Mr Pyne —Why didn’t you give us notice?

Mr CREAN —I did give you notice. George Brandis was notified and he said he would notify the deputy leader.

Ms Julie Bishop interjecting—

Mr CREAN —I understand that, and that is why he was notified.

The SPEAKER —Order! The minister has the call on indulgence.

Mr CREAN —Ben Snow, Tim Burke and Joe Farrell are each up for separate visual effects awards. The artist and author Sean Tan has been nominated for an animated short film, Kirk Baxter has been nominated for film editing, as has Dave Elsey for makeup. I give special congratulations to the team of four Australians, including three from Rising Sun Research, which has already received an Academy Award for Technical Achievements in its CineSyne online collaboration software used throughout the international industry.

These nominations demonstrate the respect and credibility that the Australian film and TV industry has won on the world stage. Our technical and creative skills are world class. This success is a demonstration of this government’s deeply held belief that a creative nation is also a productive nation. This is an industry that we must invest in and keep strong to ensure that the talents and skills continue to thrive. Last week, in fact, I released the report into the Australian independent screen production sector. It examined how the sector is faring and looked at the early impact of the three film tax offsets which make up the Australian Screen Production Incentive. In the past three years the government has provided $412 million in support through the tax system, compared to $136 million in the three years previously.

I look forward to working with the Australian screen industry, but, most particularly, I wish all of the Oscar nominees the best for the awards, which will be announced on Monday.