Labor MP Ed Husic has spoken out against the government spending almost $21.6m on a Disney film. Source: AAP
FEDERAL Labor MP Ed Husic admits to "raising an eyebrow" on hearing the government would spend $21.6 million on a Disney film, after he'd lobbied in vain for new equipment for his local hospital.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Tuesday announced the one-off payment to Walt Disney studios, which is remaking the science fiction classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea in Australia.
It would create 2000 jobs in the local film industry, the prime minister said.
But a bemused Mr Husic, whose western Sydney MP seat is under threat in an election year, said he had been trying to get an MRI for his local hospital at Mount Druitt "for ages".
"I have to say I raised my eyebrows yesterday when I saw that we were giving $20 million to the production," he told Sky News on Wednesday.
"I don't need 20,000 leagues of sea; I need an MRI at Mount Druitt Hospital."
Mr Husic is a supporter of former prime minister Kevin Rudd and resigned his position as deputy whip during last month's leadership spill triggered by the sacked frontbencher Simon Crean.
