Page 1188 - Week 04 - Wednesday, 7 May 2014

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MR SMYTH: Minister, if not raised directly with you, how were concerns raised with you and what were those concerns?

MS BURCH: The discussion was generally around will he be available, will he deliver and what are the contract conditions that will ensure that. And all of that was put in place.

Multicultural affairs—Fringe Festival

MR DOSZPOT: My question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, schedule 1 in the territory’s deed of grant with Mr Jorian Gardner for the delivery of the 2014 fringe festival noted: “The Grant is payable as two installments being $5,000 conditional on acceptance of a program and budget due 30 September 2014 conditional on all special conditions being accepted.” One of the special conditions noted in schedule 3 of the grant is: “The recipient to provide a detailed program and budget by 30 September 2013 to be approved by the Territory.”

Were you provided with this detailed program? Did this program mention performances with adult content?

MS BURCH: No.

MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.

Opposition members interjecting—

MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Doszpot is asking the question; Mr Coe and Mr Hanson are interjecting across the chamber. Mr Doszpot.

MR DOSZPOT: Minister, how is it that you were not aware that an adult or Nazi stripper performance was in the program for the fringe festival?

MS BURCH: The program was provided, as I understand, through to the contract manager. A detailed program has not been provided to me. Your continued reference to a Nazi stripper was not something that I was aware of, and I think we have stood in this place and said artistic direction sat with Jorian Gardner. I have not had a single complaint to me from anyone that was at that performance.

Mr Hanson: Diana Abdul-Rahman.

MS BURCH: She was not there. I have had that conversation if you want to go there, Mr Hanson. I have had a conversation with her, and she based her letter on the beat-up in the Canberra Times that was stirred up by Mrs Jones and Mr Hanson.

MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Gentleman.

MR GENTLEMAN: Minister, how did the Canberra community respond to the program?


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