MP tries to claim Doctor Who for Australia

A publicity image for Doctor Who's 50th anniversary special The Day of the Doctor.

A federal MP has called for the BBC to consider filming the 2015 series of British television program Doctor Who in Australia.

Nationals MP George Christensen put up a motion in parliament on Monday requesting the lower house make the request to the UK public broadcaster.

He proposed the ABC, Screen Australia and state-based film funding bodies consider offering financing to the BBC to encourage it to film the series here.

The motion was supported by Liberal Alex Hawke and Labor MPs Graham Perrett and Andrew Leigh.

Doctor Who will mark its 50th anniversary on November 23.

To celebrate, the BBC has created a Day of the Doctor special to go to air across the world on November 24.

It will also be screened in 3D at more than 80 cinemas across Australia.

Mr Christensen said Australia had a special connection with Doctor Who because the first story, An Unearthly Child, was written by Australian scriptwriter Anthony Coburn.

And the signature score was written by Australian composer Ron Grainer.

The Queensland MP went on to list another five Australian connections, including the appearance of horse trainer Gai Waterhouse as Presta in the episode The Invasion of Time.

Ms Waterhouse had a short career as an actor before becoming a trainer.

Debate on the motion in the Federation Chamber, which deals with matters when the lower house has limited time, was adjourned.

- AAP