Calls for boycott, Scott Morrison ‘unnerved’ by Port Arthur film

A new film about Port Arthur killer Martin Bryant has left Scott Morrison ‘unnerved’.

Port Arthur gunman Martin Bryant.

A new film about Port Arthur ­killer Martin Bryant has left Scott Morrison “unnerved”, with John Howard and Tasmanian MPs fearing that revisiting the tragedy and focusing on the gunman will bring back the trauma of the state’s darkest day.

Nine-owned streaming service Stan revealed this week it had commissioned Nitram, directed by Snowtown director Justin Kurzel, which will explore Bryant’s life ­before he murdered 35 people in 1996. The film is already in production in Geelong despite a significant public backlash.

Mr Morrison said on Thursday he would not seek to stop the production but he urged the filmmakers to consider the victims and their families.

“I am unnerved about the revisiting of the Martin Bryant case,” he said. “It has scarred us as a nation deeply. I hope when this is done, and for those who choose to see it, we will remember the victims and their families and the torment that they have endured.”

The massacre occurred only weeks after Mr Howard was elected prime minister and prompted him to introduce laws outlawing automatic weapons. When asked for a comment, Mr Howard told The Australian: “My response is that I will not dignify the project with a comment.”

The Australian approached Stan for comment.

Several Tasmanian MPs said the film should either halt production or face a boycott.

Labor MP Brian Mitchell’s seat of Lyons includes Port Arthur. He said the film would open wounds. “My simple plea is to just stop production,” he said.

“I know the producers are well-intentioned but they cannot ­escape that their focus will be on the gunman and his actions, and the victims will fall into the background. Port Arthur has been a good example on how to handle a mass shooting. In Tasmania, we have focused our thoughts on the victims, our media never mentions the gunman’s name.”

Tasmanian Liberal senator Eric Abetz said people should avoid the film. “I lost a good friend in the massacre. The perpetrator wants publicity and notoriety and the film will feed that sick desire,” he said. “I would encourage people to exercise their freedom in boycotting the film.”

Greens senator for Tasmania Peter Whish-Wilson said he wanted to talk to the filmmakers and did not understand why they would focus on the killer.

“Why wouldn’t you make a film about the community that came together in a time of immense grief and how politics was put aside to deal with gun control?” he said.

Children’s safety charity the Alannah and Madeline Foundation was founded by Walter Mikac after his daughters, 6 and 3, were killed at Port Arthur. Its chief executive, Lesley Podesta, said: “We do not want to see any film or dramatisation which provides a platform or creates celebrity for the perpetrator. We do not want to see further distress and hurt exacted on those he left behind.”