Dr LIM - 1996-02-27
Can the minister advise what progress has been made in negotiations with Darwin City Council over the future operation of the Darwin Entertainment Centre?
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It has always been a mystery to me that I never have any questions from opposition members relating to the arts. The member for Arnhem laughs. He thinks it is a joke. It is very sad that there is a lack of interest in the arts on that side of the parliament. I add my voice to the concern about the forthcoming $27m cut to our funding from the Commonwealth and the impact that that might have on the arts community. I say to members of the arts community who are listening to this broadcast that they should be phoning Warren Snowdon and asking him what he is up to. A massive funding cut of $27m to the Territory will have a real impact on areas of activity such as the arts.
At least the Territory government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the arts. I am very pleased to inform members that we have come to a good agreement with Darwin City Council in relation to the Darwin Entertainment Centre, formerly known as the Darwin Performing Arts Centre. It has been renamed recently. In effect, the Darwin Entertainment Centre will receive an extra $300 000 in funding this year from an agreement that has been worked out with Darwin City Council. We have also set aside an entrepreneurial fund of some
Page 1224
$60 000 per year for the next 3 years. For the coming financial year, we have allocated some $150 000 for repairs and maintenance.
This is a very important venue, not only for people who live in Darwin but for all Territorians. I am very pleased that we have been able to reach this funding agreement with Darwin City Council. I congratulate the Lord Mayor, George Brown, on the very positive way in which he worked through this issue with me. I also congratulate the board which had some fairly anxious moments in the past because things have not been as they should have been. All's well that ends well and the matter has been resolved. Let me give a commitment. Notwithstanding that Warren Snowdon is overseeing $27m being ripped from our community, we will not back away from this agreement.
Page 1225
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, I thank the member for his question. It has always been a mystery to me that I never have any questions from opposition members relating to the arts. The member for Arnhem laughs. He thinks it is a joke. It is very sad that there is a lack of interest in the arts on that side of the parliament. I add my voice to the concern about the forthcoming $27m cut to our funding from the Commonwealth and the impact that that might have on the arts community. I say to members of the arts community who are listening to this broadcast that they should be phoning Warren Snowdon and asking him what he is up to. A massive funding cut of $27m to the Territory will have a real impact on areas of activity such as the arts.
At least the Territory government continues to demonstrate its commitment to the arts. I am very pleased to inform members that we have come to a good agreement with Darwin City Council in relation to the Darwin Entertainment Centre, formerly known as the Darwin Performing Arts Centre. It has been renamed recently. In effect, the Darwin Entertainment Centre will receive an extra $300 000 in funding this year from an agreement that has been worked out with Darwin City Council. We have also set aside an entrepreneurial fund of some
Page 1224
$60 000 per year for the next 3 years. For the coming financial year, we have allocated some $150 000 for repairs and maintenance.
This is a very important venue, not only for people who live in Darwin but for all Territorians. I am very pleased that we have been able to reach this funding agreement with Darwin City Council. I congratulate the Lord Mayor, George Brown, on the very positive way in which he worked through this issue with me. I also congratulate the board which had some fairly anxious moments in the past because things have not been as they should have been. All's well that ends well and the matter has been resolved. Let me give a commitment. Notwithstanding that Warren Snowdon is overseeing $27m being ripped from our community, we will not back away from this agreement.
Page 1225
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016