IT seems Australian politicians are fans of British television program Doctor Who.
A federal MP has put up a motion in parliament to have the Doctor jump aboard his TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) and travel down under in 2015.
Nationals MP George Christensen requested the lower house ask the BBC to consider filming the 2015 series of Doctor Who in Australia.
The Queensland MP proposed the ABC, Screen Australia and state-based funding bodies consider offering financing to the BBC to encourage it to film the sci-fi television series on location in Oz.
The programme depicts the adventures of a Time Lord – a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor. He explores the universe in his TARDIS, a sentient time-travelling space ship. With a succession of companions, the Doctor faces a variety of foes while working to save civilisations, help ordinary people, and right wrongs.
The show first aired in Britain in 1963, and will mark its 50th anniversary on 23 November. To celebrate the BBC has created a “Day of the Doctor” special to screen across the world, including at more than 80 cinemas across Australia.
Australia has a number of special connections with Doctor Who, which Mr Christensen listed in parliament.
The first story of Doctor Who was written by an Australian scriptwriter, the signature score was written by an Australian composer, and a number of notable Australians have appeared in the program, including Kylie Minogue and horse trainer Gai Waterhouse.
The motion was supported by other Doctor Who fans, Liberal MP Alex Hawke, and Labor MPs Graham Perrett and Andrew Leigh.
Debate on the motion was adjourned.