Page 174 - Week 01 - Wednesday, 28 November 2012
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MS BURCH: a $420,000 commitment. This will keep a great event in great shape.
I do note the mirth and hilarity coming from the other side. But this was part of our multicultural policy that we took to the election, and I will note that the Canberra Liberals were absent in having a multicultural policy when they went to the election.
MADAM SPEAKER: Minister, would you be directly relevant to the question, which was about the centenary festival?
MS BURCH: The additional funding for the next festival has enabled new additions to the festival, such as the African Village and the Bengali Showcase. We have also provided new funding to allow the reintroduction of an edgy Fringe Festival. The cultural performances for these new concepts will be local to international and will provide a focal point in the event for the respective local community groups and the arts sector alike.
The centenary team has generously contributed entertainment, including performances from acclaimed singer Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu as part of the 2013 Indigenous Showcase.
A record number of applications have been received. So far, over 300 stallholders have applied for a stall to showcase their cultural community throughout the festival.
There will be five major stages and one platform where performances will be staged, in addition to roving street entertainment and buskers. A feature of the 2013 festival will be a significant increase in the part played by roving performers and buskers.
Opposition members interjecting—
MS BURCH: I am just hoping that none opposite will want to come back and be part of the roaming and performing buskers, because they are not very entertaining.
This presence will allow festival attendees, particularly community members with mobility issues and families with children, to enjoy the roving performers from the extensive seating arrangements available in and around the festival.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Dr Bourke.
DR BOURKE: Minister, how will the government be supporting the Fringe Festival from 2013 and how will it link in with the Multicultural Festival?
MS BURCH: In September this year I approved $20,000 from the ACT arts fund for the costs of a fringe festival in 2013. In 2013 the Fringe Festival will take place in conjunction with the ACT Multicultural Festival and will run over the afternoon and evening of Saturday, 9 February.
Members interjecting—
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