Page 3821 - Week 12 - Thursday, 24 October 2013
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MS LAWDER: Minister, what processes and procedures are in place to ensure the fair treatment of the longstanding staff members who have lost their jobs?
MS BURCH: Given that I do not know the details of any separation of staff from the agency and given that I think that is within the purview or the arena of the governance body—the CEO and the executive of the arts council—I do not know if it is my place, indeed, to have a place within that. But I would expect that any association abides by the rules and regulations, whether it is corporate law or other structures, that it needs to abide by. That is what I would expect.
As a contract manager, I would expect artsACT to have very clear accountability, structures and reporting frameworks in place under that contract management arrangement.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, how much funding has Tuggeranong community arts received from artsACT this year?
MS BURCH: I am happy to take it on notice. There are a number of streams. We fund them as a key arts organisation. We have funded them in the capital sense around some of the supports for the renovations and we also provide the cultural inclusion arts support worker. I will take advice and bring it back to the Assembly.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Smyth.
MR SMYTH: Minister, what action have you taken to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent appropriately by the Tuggeranong Community Arts Association?
MS BURCH: I get a sense that there is a heightened sense of anxiety about the Tuggeranong Community Arts Association from those opposite. As I said, it was within the last 24 or 48 hours that I became aware of staff separation. I think you are jumping to a heightened sense of urgency about this.
As I have said, I would expect artsACT has sound, robust contractual reporting and accountability mechanisms in place, and I would also suggest that an independent organisation or association has its own internal governance—
Mr Hanson: Madam Speaker, on a point of order—
MADAM SPEAKER: Can you sit down, please, Minister Burch.
Mr Hanson: Mr Smyth’s question was quite direct. My point of order is on relevance. The question was: what action have you taken to ensure that taxpayers’ money is being spent appropriately? I would ask the minister to explain what action she has taken.
MADAM SPEAKER: I uphold the point of order. The question is fairly direct, as I have written it down here. Could you confine yourself to the answer to the question.
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