Page 1545 - Week 04 - Thursday, 29 March 2012
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that we invite the federal member for Kooyong, Josh Frydenberg, who holds the seat once held by Menzies. So we did just that. I am pleased to say that Mr Frydenberg attended the launch and said a few words about walking in Menzies’s shadow and about Menzies’s contribution to international diplomacy. ACT Senator Gary Humphries also spoke at the unveiling. I think it was very important for Heather Henderson to see that some members of the Liberal Party still value the contribution.
For the record, we did invite the Canberra Liberals but not one of the Canberra Liberals saw fit to attend the unveiling of Menzies. They have such concern that they thought that Menzies—
Mr Hanson: We are very consistent. Ban all public art.
MS BURCH: That is it. So Menzies is considered to be dismissed because it is part of public art. That is just shameful.
MR SPEAKER: A supplementary, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, does the government remain committed to public art in the ACT?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for her question. The government does remain committed to public art because we believe public art has a place in our community, unlike the Canberra Liberals, who think there is no place for art in the community. There are four more works to be installed as part of the public art program funded by the percent for art scheme. I am confident that they, too, will be embraced by our community.
Since the start of the program we have seen substantial investment in public art from the private sector as well. I believe this co-investment is an important component in having a vibrant community, In New Acton, for example, we have seen developments that incorporate public art into every facet of those developments. The ACT government remains committed to public art, and I continue to receive positive feedback about the number of works that we have put in, including, for example the wild dogs in City Walk or Poets Corner.
The ACT Labor government supports arts and arts organisations. I have been very diligent in reminding arts stakeholders in our community when I see them at community events that I support them. I think that is in stark contrast to the Canberra Liberals, who see fit to bag public art at every opportunity, do not turn up to the unveiling of Robert Menzies and, indeed, come into this place and try and upset secured funding for arts organisations such as Megalo.
A government led by Mr Seselja is seen by the community as being a government that would bring in—
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, this is argumentative and it is contrary to the standing orders. Minister Burch has a question to answer, and if Minister Burch wants to make a ministerial statement about public art, she can, and then people can respond to it.
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