Page 2743 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 29 June 2010
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In this context, I do note that the Chief Minister’s Department’s plan for improving consultation processes and information shared at such consultation events is to increase training across the board through the various government agencies to improve capacity and capability of community engagement. I thoroughly support this, and I hope that part of this process will also be encouraging staff to liaise with relevant agencies about related government processes and projects as well as the benefits of the more deliberative democracy style of consultation—that is, informing people and sharing as much relevant information as possible before asking people to input into the process. For the input to be meaningful, it needs to be informed input. Again, this is an area where we have had some issues in the past.
I now want to move on to talk about the arts. In this context, I would like to point out that the estimates committee has recommended that the accountability indicators for arts policy, advice and programs need to be refined so we can better understand how our arts indicators are progressed. I look forward to seeing more about that next year.
I want to raise one issue that is very important for the arts and music community. That is the fact that arts and music groups actually need somewhere to undertake their activities. They need space and they need venues. It is not sufficient just to have spaces which accommodate high-end arts and music. Canberra has a serious lack of venues for live music and community groups, particularly ones that are affordable to smaller groups, accessible by public transport, and appropriate when it comes to organisations which may have noise issues, such as live music and other music venues.
While there are places in Canberra for large professional groups such as the Canberra Theatre next to us, we are seeing a pattern of smaller community groups being pushed out. It is very disappointing to see that there is nothing in the budget to help address this issue, because it is an issue that needs to be addressed. What it might mean, for example, is giving some assistance for subsidies for new venues to set up in appropriate places and to try to get non-high-end events happening again in the central parts of Canberra.
It means that when we redevelop areas, we need to look at existing public spaces and ensure that there are going to be sufficient indoor public spaces and sufficient community spaces, sufficient spaces for things other than meetings, for community events that are not just meetings—although, of course, including meetings. We need to ensure that these spaces will continue as well as ensure that there is sufficient outdoor community space when there is redevelopment. We have tended in the past to look largely at ensuring there is sufficient outdoor community space. That is important, but it is not the only thing that is necessary for a vibrant community. It is something that we are losing.
Instead, we keep on hearing reports that it is costs, government pressure and bureaucracy, and a lack of spaces that is making life more difficult for our small arts and music groups. The availability of dance space is an issue. Yes, there is space at the new Belconnen Arts Centre, but it remains completely booked out. This is clearly an indication that the ACT probably needs more dance space. The government has a general statement about providing space for dance artists in its strategic directions statement on dance. (Second speaking period taken.)
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