Why the end of ABC Q+A was inevitable
That was when he was asked whether the ABC could learn from the success of American podcaster Joe Rogan, Williams answered, 'I'm not sure that I'm the right person to respond to that question. I am not a consumer or an enthusiast about Mr Rogan and his work.'
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The Advertiser
33 minutes ago
- The Advertiser
'Standard practice': summiteers play down Treasury leak
Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector. Economists and business groups have joined the prime minister in insisting an upcoming economic roundtable can still produce big ideas. Leaked Treasury advice reportedly showed a list of proposals to be reviewed by cabinet after the meeting of business, union and other leaders at a productivity roundtable on Tuesday. Among them were proposals to speed up approval times for housing and reduce environmental red tape, according to the ABC. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese denied the result of the summit had been locked in before it began. "You'd expect Treasury to be giving advice about a forum that's about the economy," he told reporters in Brisbane on Thursday. "Next week, though, is an opportunity for people to advance their ideas, to advance policies, and that's a really constructive thing." The government has ruled out major changes in some areas, including tax policies, before the three-day summit despite calls for widespread reform to bolster Australia's lagging productivity rates. Independent economist Saul Eslake said suggestions the roundtable's outcome had been agreed upon because of the leaked document should be disregarded. "It's standard Treasury practice to brief its minister for any serious discussions or conversations he might be about to have," he told AAP. "It would be astonishing if Treasury wasn't at least thinking about how the treasurer should respond to some of the ideas that have been flagged by participants in the summit that they're going to put." The advice should not be read as particular policies getting a green light, Mr Eslake said. Treasurer Jim Chalmers also dismissed concerns the summit's outcomes had been pre-empted. "Those that have been reported today are just a few of the many ideas which have been put to us and they're all welcome on the table," he said. Opposition Leader Sussan Ley said the coalition would examine suggestions from the roundtable, but had concerns about how the event was being handled. "I wonder whether people who are attending this roundtable are indeed wasting their time," she said. "What we won't do is accept an agenda that raises taxes on hardworking Australians, particularly because that's exactly what the government promised it would not do." Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox said the roundtable would be a "legacy moment" for reform. "It is Treasury's role to provide advice to the government and that is the case here - and we shouldn't assume it automatically becomes government policy. They are doing their job," he told AAP. "Next week's roundtable is an opportunity for the government and, while it may not be getting consensus, it will give clear understandings around the big challenges that we face around productivity and investment." Part of the reason productivity growth has been so poor is because competition has fallen since the mid-2000s, costing Australia up to $3000 per person, the Reserve Bank found in a report released on Thursday. If Australia could get competition back to where it was two decades ago, it could boost productivity by one to three per cent, said report authors Jonathan Hambur and Owen Freestone. The Productivity Commission released its final report before the summit, calling for a national screening system for care workers, greater collaboration between health services and a major shift towards preventive health investment. Commissioner Alison Roberts said care was a rapidly growing sector and proposed reforms would seek to break through the government's siloed approach to decision-making. The interim report urges the government to better align quality and safety regulations across the care economy. That could include a streamlined national clearance process for workers in aged care, the NDIS, veterans' care and the early childhood education sector.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
Renowned film critic and presenter David Stratton dies
Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon. Veteran film critic David Stratton, whose partnership with Margaret Pomeranz made him a beloved figure on Australian TV screens, has died aged 85. His family announced his death on Thursday, telling the ABC he died peacefully in hospital near his home in the Blue Mountains. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," his family said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend." Stratton retired in 2023 because of ill health, after a celebrated career as a film critic, writer, educator and historian that spanned 57 years. An English migrant who arrived in Australia as "ten pound Pom" in 1963, Stratton worked for SBS from 1980 as their film consultant and introduced the SBS Cinema Classics on Sunday nights. His best known role was co-hosting the long-running SBS TV program The Movie Show with Margaret Pomeranz, from 1986 to 2004, when they moved to the ABC to co-host At the Movies with Margaret and David. They retired from the show in 2014. He wrote six books and lectured in film history at the University of Sydney's Centre for Continuing Education until 2023. He also served as a jury member at many prestigious international film festivals throughout his career. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated Stratton as someone who had shared his love of film with the country "with dry humour and sharp insight". "All of us who tuned in to At the Movies respected him for his deep knowledge and for the gentle and generous way he passed it on," he posted on social media. Stratton's family issued a special request to moviegoers, asking that they celebrate his "remarkable life and legacy" by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie, Singin' In the Rain. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime," his family said. Details of a public memorial service are expected to be announced soon.
The Advertiser
an hour ago
- The Advertiser
'Watch your favourite movie': film critic David Stratton dies aged 85
Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies. Legendary film critic and television host David Stratton has died aged 85. In a statement, Mr Stratton's family said he died peacefully in a hospital near his home at Leura in the NSW Blue Mountains. Mr Stratton and his wife, Susie Craig, moved to the Blue Mountains in 1991. "David's passion for film, commitment to Australian cinema, and generous spirit touched countless lives," the family statement said. "He was adored as a husband, father, grand and great grandfather and admired friend. "David's family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the overwhelming support from friends, colleagues, and the public recently and across his lifetime." The statement included a special request, the ABC reported: "[We] invite everyone to celebrate David's remarkable life and legacy by watching their favourite movie, or David's favourite movie of all time - Singin' In the Rain." Mr Stratton was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2015 for his "significant service to the film industry", as well as his efforts as an ambassador for Australian cinema. Speaking to the Blue Mountains Gazette at the time, he said he was "very honoured and surprised and gratified". Mr Stratton's association with movies began as a teenager when he set up a film society in his native England. A few years later he moved to Australia and, at just 26, was appointed director of the Sydney Film Festival. He remained at the helm of the festival for 18 years, doing his best to advance the cause of the local industry. "At that time there was a lot of effort to promote Australian film through the festival. In fact, we did a big retrospective in 1975, something that had never been done before" he told the Gazette in 2015. Mr Stratton was undoubtedly best known for his 28-year collaboration with Margaret Pomeranz, first at SBS with The Movie Show, then later at the ABC with At the Movies. Showing his discerning taste, he told the Gazette there was one eventual downside to the TV gig - "you had to see basically all the movies that opened every week". "Increasingly I found many movies I didn't want to see. It's pretty hard to sit down and not like what you are going to have to see for the next two hours." In a 2018 interview with the Gazette, Mr Stratton gave an insight into the meticulous research that went into his film reviews and books, right down to recording the movie's running time himself rather than relying on online film database IMDb. "I always time the films to the end of the credits. I used to write for Variety and you had to do that. I've never lost the habit," he said. Reflecting on his move to the Blue Mountains, Mr Stratton said: "Sydney had already become, in the early '90s, a bit of an acquired taste. If you had the money to live at the beach, it was fine. But we weren't particularly beach people and we didn't really have the money." The Gazette last caught up with Mr Stratton in 2021 when he shared stories of having dinner with legendary directors Clint Eastwood and David Lynch while promoting his latest book, My Favourite Movies.
