Page 3666 - Week 10 - Wednesday, 13 September 2017

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local people wanted to see interstate acts, that they did not want to come out to see local acts because they could see them any time.

While this was pointed out, there was nothing empirical to support it. This was an assertion by EventsACT. EventsACT, to their credit, seems to have modified that view. As a result, EventsACT asked this band and others to put together demonstration tapes. There were six bands that were approached and asked to put together demonstrations and videos to be reviewed. As a result of that, I understand that two bands have received positive outcomes and will be performing at various times at Floriade.

The particular band that raised all these issues themselves were not successful. But I think that, as a rock band, they probably do not quite fit the Floriade demographic. However, it is good to see local people, local bands and local performers standing up for themselves and standing up to EventsACT and demonstrating that they do have a positive and important role to play in major events.

I am also glad to see that EventsACT has somewhat, at least, relaxed their view and are becoming more open to local entertainment being part of major events like this. I commend the government for the steps that they have taken so far, but I would also encourage them to do much more in this space. I commend this particular part of the motion because I believe that this is a very important part of developing the arts in the ACT and ensuring that when we spend money on events, a lot of that money is actually kept in the ACT.

MR PETTERSSON (Yerrabi) (4.40), in reply: Briefly, Mr Assistant Speaker, this has been a lot of fun. I did not think it would be as much fun as it was. We have learnt a lot today. We have learnt a little about Ms Le Couteur’s partying past, her festival days. We have learnt about Ms Cheyne’s passion for all things flowers and we have also learnt about the Chief Minister’s passion for New Year’s Eve. Hopefully, we will see you on the dance floor in Garema Place this New Year’s Eve.

Question resolved in the affirmative.

Education—students with complex needs

MR WALL (Brindabella) (4.40): I move:

That this Assembly:

(1) notes:

(a) the Report of the Expert Panel on Students with Complex Needs and Challenging Behaviour (Schools for All) was established by the ACT Government after a 10-year-old boy with autism was locked inside a cage at an ACT school;

(b) in November 2015, the report listed 50 recommendations for schools in all sectors that were all immediately accepted by the ACT Government;


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