Page 3578 - Week 11 - Thursday, 23 October 2014
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MS GALLAGHER: I thank Mr Smyth for the question. The overarching philosophy of this government is to allow the arts to flourish, to encourage the arts, to be a believer in the arts, to support artists, to back them when they are controversial, particularly when they cause offence to the Canberra Liberals.
Mr Smyth: On a point of order, Madam Speaker—
Members interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: I would like to hear Mr Smyth’s point of order.
Mr Smyth: We can have that stuff; it is fine.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, you have a point of order.
Mr Smyth: Under standing order 111A I ask that the minister be concise and directly relevant to the subject matter. The subject matter was the strategy to deliver the arts policy.
Mrs Jones interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Stop, Mrs Jones. On the point of order, I do not uphold the point of order. The Chief Minister was talking about how the ACT government supports artists. Chief Minister.
MS GALLAGHER: Thank you. In the interests of being concise, I have completed my answer. If there is anything further I can provide and update the Assembly on, I will be very happy to have the Minister for the Arts do that on her return. But we have been long and proud supporters of the arts in this city. Indeed, as you travel around the city and you see all the beautiful art work that is on display, when it is not wrapped in the Canberra Liberals’ political material, you will know that it is the progressive side of politics that backs the arts and it is the conservatives that seek to rein it in and censor it and ensure that the creative arts cannot flourish in this town.
MADAM SPEAKER: Mr Smyth, a supplementary question.
MR SMYTH: Minister, as you cannot answer the question, will you table by close of business today a copy of the strategy to deliver the government’s arts policy framework?
MS GALLAGHER: I would be more than happy to provide Mr Smyth with all the appropriate links and information available on the ACT government’s arts policy and programs that are available.
Mr Smyth: No, no, no—the strategy.
MS GALLAGHER: You are in an eternal search for the strategy. You could almost make a movie out of it, Mr Smyth, in whatever area of government, the never-ending—
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