Page 1214 - Week 07 - Wednesday, 23 August 1989
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section 19, they are clearly aware of what is already here in Canberra and what are the further needs of the people.
We have to find out what kinds of theatres best serve local performers and local audiences, and that was another factor that was considered when we looked at the theatre for the town hall in Tuggeranong. Do we know where and what darkroom facilities are available for photographers, particularly art photographers? Where are the studios for artists and print makers? Where are the editing facilities for film-makers and video workers? It has been suggested at times, Mr Speaker, that Canberra may be an ideal location for a film industry. It has a perfect climate and it has incredible locations around this particular area that would be ideal.
Apart from that, does the Government have responsibility in these areas? Are there other activities, whether they reflect Anglo-Celtic cultural practices and concerns or those of the ethnic and Aboriginal community? We do not know, Mr Speaker. That is the problem, and that is why I am suggesting that it is appropriate for this particular committee to look at those problems, to make sure that our cultural facilities on section 19 are not a fait accompli. We do not know whether we should be supporting the limited proposals already before us or whether other facilities and activities are equally or more deserving. We need to know for the sake of Canberra's cultural future and its future as a cultural centre. We need the facts to be looked at carefully and dispassionately.
Mr Speaker, one of the other aspects in relation to this particular motion, you will note, is that the committee should look at Commonwealth financial assistance for those facilities which fulfil national functions. In the discussions that we had during the select committee on the casino we received some information in relation to the nature of the national capital aspects of the use of our particular theatre. It is quite clear that the Federal Government makes some use of our community facilities in relation to its attitudes to the embassy circuit in the ACT.
For example, I understand that the Russian Ballet, the Bolshoi Ballet, would not normally come to Canberra because of the size of the existing facilities, because of the smallness of the crowds for that particular area, and because of the shortness of the season. What happens is that the Government requires the Bolshoi Ballet to come to this particular theatre, the existing theatre, because it is part of the intergovernment relations between the Federal Government and the embassy and peoples of the Soviet Union.
So on that particular basis it is appropriate, I would suggest, Mr Speaker, for the committee to consider and try to ascertain what is the degree of national use of our facilities in relation to this matter and therefore what
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