Page 3774 - Week 14 - Thursday, 10 December 1992
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In some cases extremely detailed reports were made within a short timeframe, and this information was very useful to the committee. Of particular value to the committee were the submissions and evidence given by the Cultural Council and the Arts Council of the ACT. Both submissions were based on principles which concentrated on the long-term viability of the arts and culture by promoting cultural diversity, improved access to arts facilities, and cooperation with related organisations and commercial enterprise. These submissions also raised questions concerning recurrent funding and ongoing management which the Government will need to consider carefully when examining the recommendations in this report.
A collation of the value of each request for funding from the casino premium added up to approximately $178m. Thus the committee was faced with the difficult task of dividing a mere $19m among many worthy projects. The members of the committee agreed that it would be inappropriate to recommend that the whole casino premium be allocated to just one project. Members were also mindful of the one-off opportunity the casino premium provided for the ACT to fund projects that, while of great benefit to the ACT community, might not otherwise have access to capital funds.
As chair of this committee I felt very strongly that the recommendations of this report should provide for equitable distribution of the casino premium. That sentiment was endorsed and adopted by the other members of the committee. The processes followed by the committee allowed for this. Every submission was examined on its merit, whether representing a well-established organisation with a large bid for capital works, such as the Canberra Theatre Trust, or representing a smaller grassroots cultural group requiring minimal assistance with funding, such as the Canberra Community Orchestra. A variety of groups were also invited to give evidence at the public hearing and the members heard a great range of requests and opinions concerning current cultural facilities and concerns for future arts activities in the ACT.
As part of distributing the premium equitably, the committee agreed that the recommendations should not only provide for a centrally located facility but also make provision for regions to access funds for cultural development. Demographic trends indicate that facilities will be required more and more within the regions. However, it is necessary for further community consultation to occur before decisions are made as to exactly which facilities are required within those regions. Community facilities that the committee believes are currently underutilised are local schools, and we would like to see a closer examination as to whether these ideal neighbourhood facilities may be able to serve a dual purpose. The committee is satisfied that the seven recommendations contained within this report take into consideration all sections of the community and provide for an equitable distribution of the casino premium.
Today, which is the official launch date of the International Year of the World's Indigenous Peoples, I am also pleased to announce that $2.5m of the casino premium has been recommended to be allocated to establishing a local Aboriginal cultural centre, referred to by the Ngunnawal people as a "keeping place". If this project proceeds, it will provide a place to keep local Aboriginal culture alive, a place where Aboriginal groups can meet, and a resource centre for Aboriginal education. It will be a facility which will draw tourists, and one that the whole ACT community can benefit from.
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