Page 3652 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 13 September 2017
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In standing here today I do really feel the absence of Brendan Smyth. Events and tourism were his lifeblood, and I truly hope that he was involved in writing someone’s speech about this. Unfortunately, it is not mine. I assume that in his current role he is still involved in promoting major events in Canberra. I do hope he is listening to this debate.
Many of us have been to most of these major events such as Floriade, Enlighten, the Multicultural Festival, the Folk Festival, Skyfire, the Balloon Spectacular, Summernats and Australia Day. I will admit, Mr Pettersson, being slightly older than you, I have not been to Spilt Milk or Groovin the Moo. The festivals when I was attending had some different names.
Mr Pettersson: We will get you there, Caroline.
Mr Barr: You are not a Woodstock girl, are you, Caroline?
MS LE COUTEUR: I hope so. Yes, the Aquarius Festival, absolutely, although that was not in Canberra. I should not go on. Tempting though it is to go into the history, I actually will leave those major events of my past at that for now.
Mr Parton: Probably a good thing.
MS LE COUTEUR: Yes, possibly a good thing. I have attended a number of these events and I look forward to many of these events, such as the Multicultural Festival each year. I think this is really one of the biggest events for community participation. It certainly promotes diversity and acceptance and I like that there are local and interstate performers entertaining the crowd and the huge range of food and the traditional cultures and dances in particular. I think it is a great weekend for Canberra.
One of my other favourites is the National Folk Festival every Easter, which is a weekend full of music, dance, busking and people selling their wares. I love how anyone can get up and have a go. While it is one of the few events on this calendar that actually does cost a significant amount of money, I would note that those people who are not in a position to pay can use the opportunity to volunteer, which in some ways is better, I understand, to participate in and enjoy the festival.
Events like Enlighten and Floriade are already signature events for us here and we know that many local, interstate and international visitors come to Canberra specifically at these times—some of my visitors—so that they can benefit from being part of these events in some way. And the fact that a lot of these do not cost money to attend is a real bonus and ensures more equal participation for the people of Canberra and also, importantly, for people who do not live in Canberra. It is great seeing people coming to Floriade.
I am very pleased that Mr Pettersson also talked about the issue of ensuring that major events are accessible to families: accessible in terms of cost and, importantly, accessible in terms of access. That is one of the reasons I particularly support the promotion of women’s safety audits for major ACT events. The women’s safety audit
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