Page 2665 - Week 09 - Tuesday, 11 August 2015
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frames the value generated in the community by the sector and to support its sustainability and growth in a time of change.
All of this contributes to a budget delivering on our belief that all Canberrans should have the opportunity and the chance to enjoy the tremendous potential of people living here in the ACT. The Community Services Directorate is leading a major program of reforms in this area, not only through my own portfolios but also through those of Minister Gentleman and Minister Burch. It is something the ACT government will continue to work on through this year and coming years.
I acknowledge the work of all the officials in supporting the government to deliver the major budget and reform initiatives, and I particularly acknowledge Sue Chapman and Ian Hubbard, who are still here watching the Community Services Directorate line go through.
Proposed expenditure agreed to.
Cultural Facilities Corporation—schedule 1, part 1.8.
MR SMYTH (Brindabella) (9.31): The Cultural Facilities Corporation looks after the Canberra theatre and a number of our other museums, CMAG for instance, and places like Calthorpes’ House and Lanyon. We had a brief discussion with the corporation during the estimates process. We looked at things like the success of the Cultural Facilities Corporation and the Canberra theatre throughout the year, targets and results of the customer satisfaction survey as well as the education and community programs run by the CFC. Just to start with the programs, they ran something like 700 education and community programs throughout the year, and I think, on the budget they have, they are certainly to be congratulated on that.
We looked at the success of the CFC and the Canberra theatre throughout the year. If you look at the budget for the coming year it seems to be somewhat less than the previous year. Total cost in 2014-15 was $18,041,000. Total cost this year is $17,354,000. And it is interesting that the decrease is because in 2014-15 the CFC was very successful. Under “user charges—non ACT Government” the notes on page 138 of budget paper B say:
the increase of $1.760 million in … 2014-15 … is mainly due to higher than budgeted income at the Canberra Theatre … from a higher volume of large commercial shows;
The decrease of $1.025 million in 2015-16 from the outcome is, I think, because they are being a bit conservative about how much they actually make, and it might not be as high as in 2014-15. I guess it is a nice problem to have, that you have a very successful year, but the problem then is keeping those levels of success up.
I congratulate the chairman of the board, John Hindmarsh. Mr Hindmarsh came to all hearings in which the CFC was involved, whether it be annual reports or indeed the estimates. Again this year he was there in the gallery. I think John is to be congratulated on his stewardship of the Cultural Facilities Corporation, as is Ms Elvin, the CEO.
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