Page 165 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 9 February 2022
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
DR PATERSON: Minister, what proposals have come from the multicultural community to enhance Canberra Day?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Dr Paterson for the supplementary. The expression of interest for participation in Canberra Day closed just last week. I am very pleased that a range of applications from multicultural community organisations were received. This includes applications from more than 20 multicultural group stallholders, eight multicultural businesses, two diplomatic missions and over 45 performer applications.
As for the grant funding, letters of offer have been sent to 65 eligible participants, representing a diversity of multicultural organisations and projects. Those applicants will be published on the festival website by March 2022. I look forward to the contributions that they will make right across the city, across the year, and especially with our new format for Canberra Day. I look forward to updating the Assembly once that has occurred.
MR PETTERSSON: Minister, what insights came from the involvement of the multicultural community at January’s Australia Day events?
MS CHEYNE: I thank Mr Pettersson for his supplementary question. Australia Day 2022 successfully delivered on the National Australia Day Council’s key pillars of “reflect, respect and celebrate” in a new format event that championed Indigenous and multicultural communities. These communities are at the heart of our national identity and are crucial to the meaningful programming and delivery of Australia Day events.
I am pleased to say that Events ACT applied for and were successful in receiving a National Australia Day Council iconic events grant for $750,000 to support and expand the delivery of the event by the inclusion of a new Indigenous component on the evening of 25 January, ahead of the 26 January event. An expression of interest for multicultural participation was also undertaken with the National Multicultural Festival stakeholders for inclusion in the annual event for the first time.
Together, these efforts resulted in the participation of 46 Indigenous performers over the two days, including five elders and their family members, as part of the Welcome to Country; 20 multicultural performance groups programmed throughout 26 January; and just shy of 10 multicultural vendors who operated in Commonwealth Park on the day as well, even though this was still in the middle of the school holiday summer period and obviously in the middle of the pandemic. I am pleased to say that we estimate that the final attendance number was 6½ thousand.
Mr Barr: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answers to questions on notice
Alexander Maconochie Centre—transitional release centre
MR GENTLEMAN: I can add some further information to Mr Braddock’s earlier question and advise that Corrective Services considered using the transitional release centre for COVID-related accommodation, if required. This was not required, and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video