Page 5318 - Week 14 - Thursday, 19 November 2009
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MS BURCH: Again, I thank you for the interest in the multicultural community we have here in the ACT. We have put in strong government arrangements through strong project management committee oversighting of the Multicultural Festival this year. The participation policy clearly sets out the infrastructure costs for anyone wishing to undertake commercial activity and the like which, again, are fully described and outlined in the participation policy. So the structures we have put in place I am confident will manage it and will manage it on time and on budget.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Coe, a supplementary question?
MR COE: Minister, what aspects in particular of the reduced multicultural festival of 2010 will enable you to manage and deliver the festival within budget?
MS BURCH: I believe I have answered the question, but I will outline again that there is a three-day program maintaining the signature events that the overwhelming feedback showed was wanted—that is, the multicultural night market; the food and dance spectacular, which is overwhelmingly popular and successful; the Pacific Islander showcase; diplomatic missions; carnival in the city; the Greek Glendi; and the Chinese new year. It is a very successful festival, something that the Canberra community embraces, and I believe that this year it will be very successful.
MS PORTER: A supplementary, Mr Speaker.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, can you give members some examples of the groups that are interested in running stalls for the food and dance event, which makes it so successful and financially viable?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for the question. We have a broad multicultural community from over 200 countries and with many languages. They come together over the Multicultural Festival, including islanders and those from Asian areas. Food, culture, dance and music are the order of the weekend. It will be the order of the three days. Again, with respect to the response from the community sector, over 200 are showing interest already, and it looks like we will be having another successful weekend.
MR SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot, a supplementary?
MR DOSZPOT: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, you mentioned improved governance measures that will be introduced. What governance arrangements are you looking at improving on?
MS BURCH: Given that I was not a minister at the time of the last festival, I can certainly ask my department about the governance arrangements. But I am satisfied with the governance arrangements that are in place now. There is a strong committee which will go to the detail and have ongoing oversight of every aspect of this festival. There has been a great response from the community so far. We have outlined a clear participation policy. We have kept the signature events. Everything is lining up for it to be a very successful Multicultural Festival.
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