105-478: The Australian Film Commission ( AFC ) was an Australian government agency was founded in 1975 with a mandate to promote the creation and distribution of films in Australia as well as to preserve the country's film history. It also had a production arm responsible for production and commissioning of films for the government. It was superseded by Screen Australia from 1 July 2008. The Australian Film Commission
210-646: A barrister . He was appointed to the Senate in 2000 to fill the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Warwick Parer . He served as Minister for the Arts and Sport for the last year of the Howard government in 2007. When the Coalition returned to power in 2013, Brandis became Attorney-General and Minister for the Arts. He relinquished the latter portfolio in 2015, when Malcolm Turnbull became prime minister, but
315-603: A "belligerent, intolerant populism". Brandis was appointed to fill the post of Australia's next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom . Due to take up the role in March 2018, an Achilles tendon injury delayed his official term start until 3 May 2018. His term as High Commissioner ended in 2022 and he was subsequently appointed a professor at the Australian National University , to teach at
420-424: A cabinet minister. The cabinet consists of the prime minister and senior ministers and makes most of the important policy decisions of the government. Members of the cabinet are selected by the prime minister and may be added or removed at any time, usually through a cabinet reshuffle . Cabinet meetings are strictly private and occur once a week where vital issues are discussed and policy formulated. The cabinet
525-706: A controversial debate between Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard and federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott on the topic of advice given to children regarding abstinence. Following the 2010 Australian federal election , at which he was returned, Brandis was appointed Shadow Attorney-General, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate in the Abbott shadow ministry. In 2011, Brandis submitted specific accusations to NSW police commissioner Andrew Scipione that sitting federal M.P. Craig Thomson committed larceny and fraud through misuse of
630-608: A credit card in the Health Services Union expenses affair . This led to some questioning Brandis's suitability as attorney-general if the opportunity ever arose. Brandis faced public scrutiny when it was revealed that in 2011 he had billed the taxpayer for attending the wedding ceremony of Sydney radio shock-jock Michael Smith, who had colluded with Brandis to publicise the Craig Thomson media saga. As Arts Minister, Brandis received significant criticism from
735-627: A new bookcase was reportedly required because the 2010 version was too large to move to Senator Brandis' new office following the change of government. In February 2015, Brandis made headlines when he questioned the independence and impartiality of the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission , Gillian Triggs , following the public release of a report by the Commission into children in detention which
840-600: A position he continued to hold under the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull . On 2 June 2008 Brandis, in his capacity as Shadow Attorney-General, referred the Same-Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws – Superannuation) Bill 2008 to a Senate committee for review. The aim of the bill was to remove legislative provisions that discriminated against gay and lesbian citizens, in this case relating to superannuation. Brandis stated that
945-642: A predominant influence over who was elected to Labor ministries, although the leaders of the party factions also exercised considerable influence. However, in 2007 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd , assumed the power to choose the ministry alone. Later, the caucus regained this power in 2013. According to reporting by the Sydney Morning Herald , ministerial positions are allocated by the Left and Right factions proportionally according to their representation in
1050-511: A right to be bigots". Brandis labelled Bolt's comments on mixed descent Aboriginal people, found by the Federal Court to be racial vilification, as "quite reasonable", although the federal court found Bolt violated the RDA and the plaintiffs were awarded an apology and legal costs. Professor Marcia Langton was a vocal public critic of Brandis's proposed repeal of the part of the RDA on which
1155-569: A woman’s legs. Listed on Screen Australia's Screen Guide , the online database of Australian film productions and co-productions, are 16 titles which the Australian Film Commission has contributed to either domestically in Australia, or internationally. Australian government [REDACTED] [REDACTED] The Australian Government , also known as the Commonwealth Government or simply as
SECTION 10
#17327976600841260-572: Is an Australian former politician. He was a Senator for Queensland from 2000 to 2018, representing the Liberal Party , and was a cabinet minister in the Abbott and Turnbull governments . He was later High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2018 to 2022. Brandis studied law at the University of Queensland and Magdalen College, Oxford . Before entering politics he practised as
1365-418: Is difficult to apply as many actions by executive agencies are wide-ranging, binding and conducted independently of Parliament. The executive can also be delegated legislative power through provisions allowing for statutory instruments and Henry VIII clauses . Ultimately whether power is executive or legislative is determined on a case-by-case basis, and involves the weighing up of various factors, rather than
1470-582: Is not a legal entity; it exists solely by convention. Its decisions do not in and of themselves have legal force. However, it serves as the practical expression of the Federal Executive Council , which is Australia's highest formal governmental body. In practice, the Federal Executive Council meets solely to endorse and give legal force to decisions already made by the cabinet. All members of the cabinet are members of
1575-722: The Australian Capital Territory . The head offices of all the federal departments are located in Canberra, along with Parliament House and the High Court . The name of the government in the Constitution of Australia is the "Government of the Commonwealth". This was the name used in many early federal government publications. However, in 1965 Robert Menzies indicated his preference for
1680-718: The Australian Film Commission Amendment Act . The AFC introduced a "Directions" plan to guide operations of ScreenSound Australia, before it was disputed and revised in 2006 upon the change of government. The merger between ScreenSound and the AFC was reversed in 2008, with the introduction of the Screen Australia Bill 2008. The AFC had offices in Sydney , Melbourne , Canberra and Brisbane . The Screen Australia Bill 2008 marked
1785-484: The Australian Labor Party (ALP), in office since the 2022 federal election . The prime minister is the head of the federal government and is a role which exists by constitutional convention, rather than by law. They are appointed to the role by the governor-general (the representative of the monarch of Australia ). The governor-general normally appoints the parliamentary leader who commands
1890-795: The BBC and American PBS as they were unable to sell to Australian television networks. Notably, the Documentary Fellowship scheme the AFC developed in 1984 helped place Australian documentaries into timeslots for Australian television networks, as detailed in the Australian Content Inquiry Discussion Paper, 1987. Due to the lower valuation of the Australian dollar to the American dollar, American majors became interested in Australian films in
1995-608: The Federal government , is the national executive government of Australia, a federal parliamentary constitutional monarchy . The executive consists of the prime minister and other cabinet ministers that currently have the support of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives (the lower house) and also includes the departments and other executive bodies that ministers oversee. The current executive government consists of Anthony Albanese and other ministers of
2100-572: The High Court of Australia in the equity case Warman v Dwyer . He was also the junior barrister for the plaintiff in the long running Multigroup Distribution Services v TNT Australia litigation in the Federal Court of Australia . Brandis applied to be appointed Senior Counsel in the late 1990s, but was unsuccessful. Brandis applied again in 2006. He was not on the Queensland Bar Association's shortlist; however
2205-632: The Queensland Supreme Court . He was then elected a Commonwealth Scholar and obtained a Bachelor of Civil Law from Magdalen College, Oxford in 1983. After a brief period as a solicitor in Brisbane, Brandis was called to the Queensland Bar in 1985 where he practised until entering politics in 2000. Brandis developed a commercial practice with a particular emphasis on trade practices law. He appeared as junior counsel in
SECTION 20
#17327976600842310-721: The AFC Board which acknowledged concerns on the overriding control of the AFC over the Archive. The Directions plan had received approximately 120 submissions from stakeholders with 90% being critical of its plans. The renegotiation amended concerns over the Archive’s branding and introduced a new plan on 10 July 2006, called the Independent statutory status for the National Film and Sound Archive. The NFSA Advisory Committee
2415-497: The ATO. In April 2015, the WA state government received an assurance from then federal Treasurer Joe Hockey that the Commonwealth would not intervene, however the ATO sought advice from Gleeson as its counsel that federal taxation law overrode the state legislation. The paper alleged that Brandis had told Gleeson not to run the argument, however it was still contained in the ATO's submission to
2520-601: The Australian Federal Government, the Australian Film Commission began to send Australian films and filmmakers to Cannes , France . Cannes is renowned for hosting annual international film festivals as of 1946. In 1978, the Commission’s marketing efforts in Cannes were criticised by David Stratton , a film critic and consultant, for the slogan "Our Product’s Got Great Legs" captioned under a photo of
2625-537: The Australian Film Commission, were encouraged to increase overseas sales due to the tax shelter provided by a budget increase. Changes to the AFC Amendment Bill 1980 allowed the Commission for more flexibility in funding films under the rational program and Film Australia. Funds regarding the promotion, distribution, or broadcasting of Australian programs, were also accommodated by the Bill. The Commission
2730-639: The Australian Government without first seeking and receiving the permission of the Attorney-General. Further allegations were made by Labor party ministers that Brandis had misled parliament on the issue, including those by the Shadow Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, who challenged the independence of Brandis's office. On 25 November 2016, The West Australian newspaper reported that the reason for Brandis issuing
2835-591: The Balloon Go , was released in 1976. The Commission generally covered Australian national and Indigenous identity through film and documentaries, and had developed the Documentary Development Fellowship scheme in 1984. For 1979 to 1980, the Commission's budget was $ 10 million, and received $ 2.5 million from its investments. In 1998–99, Film Finance Corporation Australia was set up as a government-owned corporation and took over
2940-522: The Bill, outlining Screen Australia’s duties to financially invest in "film and television development, production and distribution activities." Screen Australia also took over the Commission’s role in supporting Australian content in films, focusing on programs with high levels of artistic and cultural qualities. Other functions included providing aid to Australian filmmakers, promoting Australian films both domestically and internationally at related film festivals, trade shows and industry markets, and supporting
3045-675: The Bolt case was based. In 2017, Brandis condemned Pauline Hanson for wearing a Burqa in the Senate Chamber, explaining her "stunt" ridiculed the Muslim community and mocked its religious garments, and he cautioned her against the offence she might cause to the religious sensibilities of Muslim Australians. Brandis supported and approved a December 2013 ASIO raid on Bernard Collaery ’s Canberra office (a legal representative for East Timor), where all documents and computers were seized by
3150-772: The Chief Justice of Queensland, Paul de Jersey , who had the power to make the ultimate determination, added Brandis' name to the list, and Brandis was appointed Senior Counsel in November 2006. This was controversial, since Brandis had not practised at the bar since 2000. In June 2013, the original title of Queen's Counsel was restored by the Queensland Government and Brandis was one of 70 (out of 74) Queensland SCs that chose to become QCs. Brandis has co-edited two books on liberalism, and published academic articles on various legal topics, one of which
3255-532: The Coalition were in Government, the length of time in detention had been rising. Further controversy arose when Triggs told a Senate Estimates hearing that Brandis' departmental secretary had on 3 February 2015 asked her to resign, just prior to the public release of the commission's report. Triggs said that she was told that she would be offered "other work with the government" if she resigned. Initially
Australian Film Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue
3360-628: The Commission in 2003, allowed the AFC to use the Archive's brand under its name. From 2004 the AFC and from 2008 Screen Australia's Indigenous units helped to fund the Message Sticks Indigenous Film Festival . In 2006, the Broadband Production Initiative (BPI) was introduced by the federal government. The scheme was funded with the assistance of ABC New Media, Digital services and the AFC, totalling approximately $ 4 million to promote
3465-533: The Conservative-wing of the party, including Immigration Minister Peter Dutton. Brandis was reported as being concerned about the new formation of the Department of Home Affairs under Dutton. Shortly after Dutton criticised lawyers who represented refugees and asylum seekers as "un-Australian", Brandis gave a speech which championed lawyers and their role in ensuring the supremacy of the law against
3570-462: The Constitution . These were defined by High Court Justice Anthony Mason , as powers "peculiarly adapted to the government of a nation and which cannot otherwise be carried on for the benefit of the nation". They have been found to include the power to provide financial stimulus payments to households during a financial crisis and the power to prevent "unlawful non-citizens" from entering
3675-551: The Dismissal of 1975. In that case, the Governor-General Sir John Kerr dismissed the prime minister and government due to his conclusion that the government had failed to secure supply. The propriety of the use of the powers during that event remain highly contested. The Federal Executive Council is the body that formally advises the governor-general in the exercise of executive power. Decisions of
3780-579: The East Timorese over the $ 40 billion oil and gas reserves of the contested Greater Sunrise fields within the East Timorese exclusive economic zone. Additionally Brandis approved the ASIO raid and passport cancellation of a former Australian Secret Intelligence Service (ASIS) agent, who was a director of technical operations at ASIS and the whistle-blower on the allegations of commercial spying done by Australia on East Timor, which consequently prevented
3885-680: The Executive Council. A senior member of the cabinet holds the office of vice-president of the Executive Council and acts as presiding officer of the Executive Council in the absence of the governor-general. The cabinet meets not only in Canberra but also in state capitals, most frequently Sydney and Melbourne. Kevin Rudd was in favour of the cabinet meeting in other places, such as major regional cities. There are Commonwealth Parliament Offices in each state capital, with those in Sydney located in 1 Bligh Street . Until 1956 all members of
3990-664: The Future (1984) and Australian Liberalism: The Continuing Vision (1986). Brandis was first chosen by the Parliament of Queensland to fill a casual vacancy following the resignation of Senator the Honourable Warwick Parer . He was elected to a further six-year term at the 2004 election . In his period as a senator, he has served as Chairman of the Economics Committee and as Chairman of
4095-582: The Government was unable to secure support for changes to the Act from the Senate, and the Abbott government shelved the proposal. The draft amendments had met with criticism from the ALP, Liberal MP Ken Wyatt , and an alliance of racial minority representatives including Jewish lobby groups concerned with holocaust denials in the media. Brandis did not support the Labor government's proposed media reforms in 2013, and
4200-661: The High Court, which subsequently unanimously rejected the WA government's case and struck down the Bell Act. Prior to the 2016 federal election, Brandis appointed a Liberal Party donor and Brisbane lawyer, Theo Tavoularis, who had represented Brandis' son in court, to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal . Later in December 2016, Brandis appointed two former Members of Parliament and members of
4305-515: The King and the governor-general must follow the advice of the prime minister or other ministers in the exercise of his powers. Powers subject to the governor-general’s discretion are known as reserve powers. While certain reserve powers, such as the ability to choose the prime minister most likely to command the confidence of the lower house, are uncontroversial, others are subject to much greater debate. The most notable example of their use occurring in
Australian Film Commission - Misplaced Pages Continue
4410-558: The Liberal Party, who had been voted out at the 2016 federal election, to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for a 7-year term. Each role has a salary of over $ 200,000. Leading up to the 2018 Liberal Party of Australia leadership spills , Brandis was increasingly willing to assert "small-l liberal" positions and publicly criticised the coalition government and members of his own party, particularly
4515-405: The NFSA brand, such as the premier of ‘The Sentimental Bloke’ at the Sydney Film Festival 2004, were redirected under the Australian Film Commission’s brand. On 12 January 2006, Kim Dalton departed from his CEO position at the Commission to the head of television at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. The shift introduced new operations and communications between the NFSA Advisory Committee and
4620-448: The NFSA. In 2008, the AFC was then merged with two other film agencies, Film Finance Australia, and Film Australia Ltd, to form the current film agency of Australia, Screen Australia. The merge with the NFSA was reversed upon the passing of the Screen Australia Bill 2008. The Commission distributed and broadcast Australian film worldwide, namely in the United States and Europe. Australian independent documentary producers sold their work to
4725-428: The Opposition believed discrimination of this type should be removed and supported the Labor government's bill against the more conservative elements of his own party. However, he insisted on a review of the proposed legislation prior to enactment. The bill was passed into law with bipartisan support on 9 December 2008. Brandis consistently opposed proposals for a bill of rights. In January 2010, Brandis commented on
4830-436: The Parliament. The King is not involved with the day-to-day operations of the government, belonging (according to the Bagehot formulation) to the "dignified" rather than the "efficient" part of government. While the executive power of the Commonwealth is formally vested in the monarch, the Constitution requires those powers to be exercisable by a governor-general, appointed by the monarch as their representative (but since
4935-422: The Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister, Julie Bishop, denied that any offer of any other role was made to Triggs. However, Bishop conceded that an international role had been discussed with Triggs in early February, during a meeting in her office with the secretary of the Attorney-General's Department, Chris Moraitis. Some government sources had suggested that Triggs had wanted to be "looked after" if she quit
5040-400: The Queensland Liberal National Party "very very mediocre". On 23 January 2007, Brandis was appointed Minister for the Arts and Sport , replacing Senator Rod Kemp . He lost his ministerial position on the defeat of the Howard government in the 2007 election . On 6 December 2007 the new Leader of the Parliamentary Liberal Party, Brendan Nelson , appointed Brandis Shadow Attorney-General ,
5145-408: The Screen Australia Bill 2008, which allowed the NFSA to move freely under its body as it was de-merged from the Commission. On 1 July 2008, the Australian Film Commission merged with the Film Finance Corporation and Film Australia Limited to form Screen Australia. As the main film agency financially supporting the Australian screen production industry, Screen Australia acts as the combined servicer of
5250-425: The Senate's Children Overboard Inquiry . Brandis has also made a number of public speeches. In 2003, he described the Australian Greens as eco-fascist . Brandis claimed over $ 1,000 in taxpayer expenses to attend the inaugural Sir Garfield Barwick address in Sydney on 28 June 2010. The event was billed as a Liberal party fund-raiser. In 2016 Brandis was caught on a " hot mic " calling his state colleagues in
5355-457: The allocation of their portfolios. When Labor first held office under Chris Watson , Watson assumed the right to choose members of his cabinet. In 1907, however, the party decided that future Labor cabinets would be elected by the members of the Parliamentary Labor Party, the Caucus , and the prime minister would retain the right to allocate portfolios. This practice was followed until 2007. Between 1907 and 2007, Labor prime ministers exercised
SECTION 50
#17327976600845460-488: The application of a strict test. As most executive power is granted by statute, the executive power of the government is similarly limited to those areas in which the Commonwealth is granted the power to legislate under the constitution (primarily under section 51 ). They also retain certain powers traditionally part of the royal prerogative , such as the power to declare war and enter into treaties. Finally, there exists certain "nationhood powers", implied from section 61 of
5565-444: The appointing of Sir Isaac Isaacs in 1931, always appointed according to the advice of federal ministers, rather than British ministers). Members of the government do not exercise executive power of their own accord but are instead appointed by the governor-general as ministers, formally as the "Queen's [or King's] Ministers of State". As such, while government ministers make most major decisions in cabinet, if those decisions require
5670-403: The arts industry for a $ 105 million cut to the Australia Council for the Arts funding in the 2015-16 Australian Federal Budget. The money was reallocated to a new program, The National Program for Excellence in the Arts (NPEA). The NPEA in turn has been criticised by many artists and arts organisations for lacking the "arms-length" funding principles that have applied to the relationship between
5775-450: The audiovisual industry. The Commission covered Australian content, in which Australian national and Indigenous identity was preserved and represented through film. The AFC supported the production of Australian history as constructed by filmmakers through documentaries . In 2000 Sally Riley was appointed head of the Indigenous Branch, which later became the Indigenous Department of Screen Australia. In both roles, she did much to develop
5880-414: The body give legal effect to decisions already deliberated at cabinet. All current and formers ministers are members of the council, although only current ministers are summoned to meetings. The governor-general usually presides at council meetings, but in his or her absence another minister nominated as the vice-president of the Executive Council presides at the meeting of the council. Since 1 June 2022,
5985-544: The bottom layer includes public servants , police, government departments and independent statutory bodies who directly implement policy and laws. Executive power is also difficult to clearly define. In the British context, it was defined by John Locke as all government power not legislative or judicial in nature. The key distinction is that while legislative power involves setting down rules of general application, executive power involves applying those rules to specific situations. In practice, however, this definition
6090-438: The careers of Indigenous Australian creatives and other industry professionals. Whilst working closely with the NFSA, the Australian Film Commission financed the Archive's first major film reconstruction, of the 1927 film, For the Term of His Natural Life , in 1980. The Commission has also collaborated with the agencies Australia Council for the Arts and the Australian Film Television and Radio School (AFTRS) in support of
6195-428: The cease in its operations. The Commission merged with other federal Australian film agencies and groups while it was active between 1975 and 2008. In 2003, plans to reorganise the AFC emerged when ScreenSound Australia, otherwise known as the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia (NFSA), indicated new arrangements to board positions. The Commission was merged with ScreenSound under the Howard government which
6300-419: The commission had only investigated the issue after the Liberal-National Coalition were elected to power, even though there had been a large number of people in detention under the previous Labor government. This, Brandis claimed, was a "catastrophic error of judgement". Triggs defended her decision to commence the investigation in early 2014, saying that although the number of detainees had begun to fall while
6405-495: The commission. However, Triggs said she "categorically denies any suggestion that the issue of a job offer and resignation came at [her] instigation". Triggs said at the Senate hearing that she considered the offer made to her a "disgraceful proposition". These events prompted Mark Dreyfus , Labor's Shadow Attorney-General, to refer the matter to the Australian Federal Police. Dreyfus said that an offer by Brandis to an independent statutory officer of an inducement to resign, with
SECTION 60
#17327976600846510-418: The confidence of a majority of the members of the House of Representatives. Also by convention, the prime minister is a member of the lower house. The prime minister and their sworn ministers form the cabinet , the key decision-making organ of the government that makes policy and decides the agenda of the government. Members of the government can exercise both legislative power (through their control of
6615-421: The country . Ministers drawn from the Australian parliament form the core of the Australian Government. A subset of these ministers form the cabinet, the de facto highest executive body of the government. Ministers not part of cabinet belong to the outer ministry. Additionally, there are also assistant ministers (formally parliamentary secretaries ), responsible for a specific policy area, reporting directly to
6720-526: The creation of the new government film agency, Screen Australia , which merged the major government film bodies Film Finance Corporation Australia, Film Australia Limited, and the Australian Film Commission into a single body, albeit with slightly different functions, roles and financing methods. Screen Australia commenced operation in July 2008 and overtook the Commission's role supporting and investing in Australian film and other media. The Commission merged with Australia's federal film agencies in 2008, bringing
6825-406: The development of broadband content worth approximately $ 2.1 million. The Commission acted as a financial aid for cultural content in Australian broadband services and for the Productivity Commission whose concerns were on "developing Australian culture, children’s programming, or quality of information and entertainment." The transfer of contractual rights of the National Sound and Film Archive to
6930-409: The development of screen culture in Australia. The Australian Film Commission as well as the Film Finance Corporation (FFC) were responsible for sustaining Australian culture through film. The AFC was a leading analyst and collector of film data, and in particular, Australian audiovisual media aiming to preserve and foster the audiovisual production industry. It led opinion, outlook and policy regarding
7035-402: The direction was that Gleeson had provided advice on behalf of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in a High Court case over the collapse of The Bell Group in 1991. The Western Australian government had passed legislation ( Bell Group Company’s Finalisation of Matters and Distribution of Proceeds Act 2015 ), elevating the Insurance Commission of WA in the queue of Bell Group creditors ahead of
7140-415: The executive government, which was largely seen as an attack on Dutton's comments. Brandis formally resigned from the Senate on 8 February 2018. In his farewell speech to the Senate he was critical of anti-terrorism laws being used by his own party as a "political weapon" and warned against the "powerful elements of right-wing politics" who had abandoned concern for the rights of the individual in favour of
7245-419: The formal endorsement of the governor-general in council, those decisions do not have legal force until approved by the Federal Executive Council , which is presided over by the governor-general. Similarly, laws passed by both houses of parliament require royal assent before being enacted, as the monarch is a constituent part of the Parliament. However, in all these cases, except for certain reserve powers,
7350-444: The future of the NFSA. The merger introduced the National Film and Sound Archive Advisory Committee in late 2004 which succeeded the NFSA Advisory Council. The Committee included representatives of key stakeholders for the Archive and was established under the Directions plan to allow for communication between stakeholders and the Archive. The Committee had no directive powers in relation to the AFC Board and film events originally under
7455-497: The government and the Australia Council since its inception in the 1970s. These principles have traditionally had bipartisan support. Brandis had been criticised previously for giving Melbourne classical music record label Melba Recordings a $ 275,000 grant outside of the usual funding and peer-assessment processes. Brandis's changes to funding arrangements, including the quarantining of the amount received by Australia's 28 major performing arts companies, are widely seen to disadvantage
7560-525: The government, and which Brandis claimed was for national security interests. Shortly after the raid, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that the Australian government was not permitted to use or view any of the raid evidence. Brandis claimed the ICJ ruling was a good outcome for the government. The Timor Gap case involved allegations of ASIS spying during commercial negotiations with
7665-485: The internet between traditional documentary filmmakers and interactive media producers. The AFC recorded that the annual average production value of documentaries in Australia was approximately $ 62 million between 2005 and 2006. Until 1996, documentaries in Australia were defined as an information category and were reintroduced with a renewed quota of 10 hours a year from initial release, which was later increased to 20 hours in 2008. The AFC collaborated with ABC Online , and
7770-569: The late 1970s. Investment in Australian film was financially attractive to American backers, and the Australian Film Commission, as well as other state film authorities, began to sell Australian films in the American market. The American market received Australian film with depictions of outback landscapes, and historical settings as impressions of Australia. In 1978, AFC moved its North American office from its original location in New York City to Los Angeles . In 1975, with assistance from
7875-489: The major role of financing feature film and television production, with the AFC concentrating on the funding of development, marketing and research work for the media. Film Australia Limited became a separate entity. On 1 July 2003, the Commission undertook the effect of the transfer of the National Film and Sound Archive 's (NFSA, also known as ScreenSound Australia) contractual rights and obligations as enforced by
7980-671: The ministry differs depending on their party. When the Liberal Party and its predecessors (the Nationalist Party and the United Australia Party ) have been in coalition with the National Party or its predecessor the Country Party , the leader of the junior Coalition party has had the right to nominate their party's members of the Coalition ministry, and to be consulted by the prime minister on
8085-464: The ministry were members of the cabinet. The growth of the ministry in the 1940s and 1950s made this increasingly impractical, and in 1956 Robert Menzies created a two-tier ministry, with only senior ministers holding cabinet rank, also known within parliament as the front bench . This practice has been continued by all governments except the Whitlam government . The prime minister's power to select
8190-399: The name "Australian Government" in order to prevent confusion with the new Commonwealth of Nations . The Whitlam government legislated the use of "Government of Australia" in 1973 in line with its policy of promoting national goals and aspirations. However, academic Anne Twomey argues that the government was also motivated by a desire to blur the differences between the Commonwealth and
8295-555: The object of affecting the leadership of the commission to avoid political damage, may constitute corrupt or unlawful conduct. The Australian Senate also took up the matter, passing a motion to censure Brandis on 2 March. In October 2016, allegations were made by Australia's Solicitor-General, Justin Gleeson SC, suggesting that Brandis attempted to block the Solicitor-General from providing legal advice to members of
8400-404: The other two branches of government, however, membership of the executive is not clearly defined. One definition describes the executive as a pyramid, consisting of three layers. At the top stands the king, as the symbolic apex and formal repository of executive power. Below him lies a second layer made up of the prime minister, cabinet and other ministers who in practice lead the executive. Finally,
8505-418: The parliament) and executive power (as ministers on behalf of the governor-general and the monarch). However, in accordance with responsible government , and to ensure accountability, actions of the government in its executive capacity are subject to scrutiny from parliament. The Australian Government is headquartered in the executive wing of Parliament House , located in the nation's capital, Canberra , in
8610-460: The production of films in Australia. The AFDC, turned AFC, invested $ 3,289,752 in feature production between 1972 and 1975. The Commission supported the Australian independent documentary sector. In 1984, the AFC initiated the Documentary Fellowship scheme with an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) supported pre-sale to mobilise independent documentaries. In 1999, the Commission's Documentary Online Initiative would progress collaborations over
8715-411: The production of innovative, educational and technological media content and projects. By July 2008, the AFC published a new online film related database which allowed anyone access through a film "producer or director’s name, film title, subject matter, location filmed, production date and key education references." The database, after the amalgamation in 2008, was expanded under Screen Australia and
8820-456: The radio station Triple J , to create the Stuff-Art website. Stuff-Art was devised to foster innovative and online film entertainment, encouraging participation from artists, filmmakers and interactive producers. In 1999, it won Telstra / Australian Financial Review Internet Award for the best entertainment website. In September 2001, the AFC directed investment into the program for
8925-513: The rising use of internet and technological innovation in the late 1990s and early 2000s. From the mid-1950s, with the rise of television, until the 1980s, documentary production of Australian life was supported by federal agencies such as the Commission. The AFC continued to support Australian documentaries until 2008, when Screen Australia was formed. Screen Australia overtook the Commission's responsibilities in supporting films and television programs with Australian content, which were determined by
9030-637: The small-to-medium arts sector and independent artists. Following Malcolm Turnbull's successful spill of the leadership of the Liberal party in September 2015, Brandis was replaced as arts minister by Mitch Fifield . The Abbott government took a proposal to amend the Racial Discrimination Act to the 2013 Federal Election. The Government argued that the Act unduly restricted free speech in Australia, by making "insult" and "offence"
9135-512: The states in an attempt to increase federal power. The Parliament of Australia website also notes that the name "Australian Government" is preferable in order to avoid confusion with the Commonwealth of Nations and the US federal government by those not familiar with Australia's system of government. This terminology remains preferred by the government. However, the terms Commonwealth Government and federal government are also common. In some contexts,
9240-615: The subject matter, location of production, nationalities of contributors to the making of the film, and potential to be significant Australian content, as outlined in the Screen Australia 2008 Bill. The Commission functioned as a producer, promoter, and distributor of Australian film. In the early 1970s, the Australian Film Development Corporation in conjunction with the Australian Film Commission administered grants and loans which sustained
9345-459: The term "government" refers to all public agencies that exercise the power of the State , whether legislative, executive or judicial. The government's primary role, in its executive capacity, is to implement the laws passed by the parliament. However, laws are frequently drafted according to the interests of the executive branch as the government often also controls the legislative branch. Unlike
9450-504: The test for breach of the law. As Attorney-General, Brandis argued the case for amending the Keating government 's controversial Section 18C of the Act. In March 2013, Brandis released draft amendments for community consultation, and announced that the proposed changes would "strengthen the Act's protections against racism, while at the same time removing provisions which unreasonably limit freedom of speech." After community consultation,
9555-568: The three agencies. The amalgamation revised interests on Australian programs such as documentaries, and Screen Australia took over the AFC’s role in commissioning the documentary sector. For example, the development and production of the National Interest Program documentaries, which were initially produced by Film Australia Ltd, resulted from the merger. The main functions of the Australian Film Commission were carried over by
9660-529: The unnamed former agent from testifying at the ICJ in the Netherlands. In February 2015, it was reported that more than $ 15,000 of taxpaper money was spent on a second custom-built bookshelf in Brandis' Parliamentary office to house Brandis' collection of books and law reports. There had earlier been a $ 7,000 taxpayer-funded bookcase purchased in 2010 to store $ 13,000 worth of tax-payer funded books, but
9765-573: The vice-president has been senator Katy Gallagher . As of 17 August 2024 , there are 16 departments of the Australian Government. Additionally, there are four departments which support the Parliament of Australia : The following corporations are prescribed by Acts of Parliament: As of March 2024 , the following Corporate Commonwealth entities are prescribed as Government Business Enterprises (GBEs): The following Commonwealth companies are prescribed as GBEs: George Brandis George Henry Brandis KC (born 22 June 1957)
9870-479: Was a key member of the Liberal Forum, a social or classical liberal faction within the party. He "cut his political teeth fighting a rearguard action against the incoming tide of neoliberal economics and a muscular social conservatism that increasingly came to characterise the party in the late 1980s and early 1990s". He was a co-editor of two anthologies produced by members of the faction, titled Liberals Face
9975-452: Was born in Sydney and was brought up in the inner-west suburb of Petersham . He attended Christian Brothers' High School, Lewisham before moving to Brisbane and attending Villanova College and the University of Queensland , where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with First-Class Honours in 1978 and a Bachelor of Laws with First-Class Honours in 1980. Following graduation, Brandis served as Associate to Justice Charles Sheahan of
10080-456: Was called the Find a Film Search Database and later renamed The Screen Guide . The database also enabled users to locate "Australian-made feature films, documentaries, television dramas, and interactive resources" which were curated by Australians. In the 1970s, the government assisted the film industry indirectly through tax exemptions and write-offs to private investors. Film bodies, such as
10185-586: Was cited by the High Court of Australia in the landmark defamation case ABC v O'Neill . While at the Bar, Brandis was a board member of UNICEF Australia for 10 years. He has also been an Associate of the Australian Institute for Ethics and the Professions, and lectured in jurisprudence at the University of Queensland from 1984 to 1991. According to Peter Baume , during the 1980s Brandis
10290-531: Was critical of the Government. Brandis said he had lost confidence in Triggs and the Commission because in October 2014 she had given "inconsistent and evasive" evidence to Senate estimates when explaining the timing of her decision to hold the investigation into children in detention which resulted in the report. Brandis said that the "political impartiality" of the commission had been "fatally compromised" because
10395-431: Was delegated to overcome costs which had little return on both government and private investments. Under the Bill, the Commission was able to appoint its own staff. Members of the AFC were appointed on part-time basis, and to ensure flexible and efficient day-to-day operation a general manager was elected. Upon the passing of the Australian Film Commission Amendment Act 2003 , the Commission became legally responsible for
10500-815: Was established by the Whitlam government on 7 July 1975 as the successor to the Australian Film Development Corporation set up by the Gorton government . In the first year of its existence, its budget was $ 6.5 million. The AFC acted as a funding and development agency for the Australian film industry . With the Australian Film Commission Amendment Acts passed in 1980 and 2003, the AFC shifted focus onto funding and promoting Australian film both locally, and in international markets . The AFC
10605-495: Was funded in part by the national government and in part from its return on investments in film production as well as interest on film development loans. It financially assisted film and television production and also produced films generally intended for government purposes, through its production arm, Film Australia , previously known as the Commonwealth Film Unit. A Film Australia feature film for children, Let
10710-471: Was in operation until May 2008. In May 2007, plans for another amalgamation was prompted by the new Minister for the Arts, George Brandis . The Australian Federal Election in November 2007 saw a changeover of government to the Labor Party , but support legislation for the merge was approved on 23 March 2008. On 20 February 2008, Peter Garrett , the new Minister for Arts from the changeover, introduced
10815-503: Was instead made Leader of the Government in the Senate . Brandis announced his retirement from politics in December 2017, with effect from February 2018. He replaced Alexander Downer as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in May 2018, departing the role in April 2022. In June 2022, Brandis was appointed a professor in national security at the Australian National University . Brandis
10920-408: Was outspoken in support of greater press freedom, particularly for Andrew Bolt who was found to have breached racial vilification laws in commenting on Indigenous Australians of mixed-race descent. As Attorney-General in 2014, Brandis furthered his push to amend the RDA, in part to allow media commentators such as Andrew Bolt greater freedom of expression, and to legally ensure that "people do have
11025-452: Was speculated by news outlets as a move to undermine cultural industries in Australia. A campaign called "Save ScreenSound Australia" was initiated. The Australian Film Commission Amendment Act 2003 outlined the transfer of contractual rights and obligations under ScreenSound to the AFC to accommodate the reorganisation. This took effect on 1 July 2003. In December 2003, the Commission revealed its Directions plan, introducing its proposals on
#83916