The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 43

Tale of an unemployed Working Dog EVEN though they've produced one of the most successful Australian films, the team behind The Castle is not expecting to find itself in Business Review Weekly magazine's annual list of top 500 earners next year. "But if you lend me $5, I may be able to buy a copy," executive producer Michael Hirsh said yesterday. The little Australian movie passed the $10 million domestic box office mark last week, moving it into the same league as hits such as Crocodile Dundee ($47 million), Babe ($36.7 million) and The Piano ($11.3 million). Hirsh said there were many people and organisations waiting for a slice of The Castle pie. "It will take a long time before we get a portion and it will be nowhere near what the box office is," he said.

As for stars such as Michael Caton, Anne Tenney and Sophie Lee, they were paid minimal upfront acting fees and have no further stake in the movie's financial success. "We got (actors) equity minimum rates," said Caton, who played the patriarch of the Kerrigan family. We all knew it was being done on a shoestring and I'd love to do something else with Working Dog (the production company) because it was a great experience." There could be even more money coming in from The Castle as a result of a new deal signed to distribute the movie in England and South Africa. In the meantime, Working Dog is busy on other projects, including a couple of television shows for the ABC and the second film of a three-picture deal with Roadshow Films, the company which distributed The Castle and is reaping a major part of its box office success. Hirsh said one of the ABC shows would be a drama but, in bad news for fans of the current affairs satire Frontline, he said a new series of that popular program might not be made until 1999.

BRETT THOMAS KINGS OF THE CASTLE A light moment in a scene from The Castle. i 1 i HELP BAN THIS HORROR OF LANDMINES ttirsiligDitf 2 IfS 'A A 1 1 'A it-: Helo ban landmines. Thp wnrlrl hac nouor hoon closer. But it needs your support right now. Every 20 June 1995 that there was a network of 20 pedophiles in the Department of Foreign Affairs.

In the NSW Parliament, Labor MPs Deirdre Grusovin and Franca Arena were heavily criticised for naming individuals in relation to pedophile activity. After Ms Arena raised questions about Justice David Yeldham and the Wood royal commission, Mr Yeldham committed suicide. The Federal move will put pressure on the Carr Government to follow suit with similar laws in NSW. The new right of reply in the House of Representatives is modelled on the Senate rules. It applies when a person has been named or identified in Parliament amid claims his or her reputation, business or personal associations have been damaged, or his or her privacy unreasonably invaded.

By FIA CUMMING Political Correspondent PEOPLE who feel they have been defamed or maligned in Federal Parliament can make a formal reply to prevent abuse of parliamentary privilege. The Howard Government has introduced rules for the House of Representatives to bring it into line with the Senate, where the right of reply has existed since 1988. The move by Peter Reith, Leader of the House of Representatives, aims to reduce concerns about members of parliament making unsubstantiated allegations without fear of defamation action. The concerns have arisen in recent years in both State and Federal parliaments, largely in relation to allegations about pedophiles. In Federal Parliament, then-Liberal MP Ken Aldred caused a storm when he alleged in minutes, a child like the boy in this picture, or an "rCjv adult, somewhere in the world is maimed or killed by a landmine.

You can halp stop the pain, misery and y'm carnage as a matter of emergency Please sign the treaty below and if you would like to, write a message to the Prime Minister. Then fill out your details and send the coupon to: World Vision GPO Box 399C Melbourne VIC 3107 Dear Prime Minister Howard, We, as concerned Australians, declare that it is time for a comprehensive global ban on anti-personnel landmines. Although some nations may be reluctant to support a total ban, the world has never been closer than it is now, so this opportunity must not be lost We congratulate the Government of Australia on its support for clearing anti-personnel mines in severely-affected countries, and hope that this support will continue and increase. We also commend the Government's stated commitment to a complete ban on anti-personnel mines. The most obvious and practical way Australia can demonstrate this commitment is to throw its weight fully behind the current international ban DOG OF THE WEEK that is being developed under Canada's leadership.

Supporting this ban requires that Australia, within three years, destroys all its anti-personnel mines except those absolutely necessary for mine detection, clearance and destruction training: undertakes never to use, develop, produce, acquire, stockpile, retain or transfer anti-personnel mines: agrees to provide assistance for mine clearance, and to support other countries in these aims. In signing this treaty, we urge you. Prime Minister, to hear the voice of the people not only in Australia, but also voices of people in distant countries ho live with the threat and horrific effects of mines and those who did not survive their last encounter ith a mine. Signed ill EIGHT-year-old Prince loves cuddles and long walks. This plucky poodle cross is vaccinated, desexed and costs $100 with a trampoline bed.

He would love a home with a couple or a family with older children. Phone the RSPCA's Yagoona shelter on (02) 9709 5433. TAILPIECE: Diablo, the cheeky chihuahua, has found a home, but Bean the terrier is still waiting. Dear Prime Minister Howard, MrMrsMissMs: imn.i.iin.iKSr Pkj.s; print Address: Postcode: are you paying tOO FTlUCh for your medication? Phone: (BH, (AH) WORLD VISION AUSTRALIA Vision for a better world If you are a World Vision supporter please write ninun mid vistcxt men's clinic Of AUSTBULIA IS CHRISTIAN OB3MISTKM REACM'HG OU! TO HuDltNC NOniD ftCtt 00 (0500) 886 996 THE SUN-HERALD, September 7, 1997 47.