The arts and politics can be a volatile mix. Yesterday, PMreported on controversy over new Film Finance Commission guidelines for support for Australian films. The Canberra rumour mill says a long running issue of FFC money for an animated children’s series could be about to turn into a fraud investigation. Some big current affairs programs are supposedly sniffing around.

The Australian Broadcasting Authority has already looked at the program. Issues of Federal and NSW police involvement have been raised. Opposition big guns Carmen Lawrence, Kim Carr and Kate Lundy have asked questions. They’re said to be very unhappy with responses from the previous and serving arts ministers, Peter McGauran and Rod Kemp – particularly Kemp – and delays and the procedures involved in handing their queries. One to watch – no pun intended.