Page 4714 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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The consultant provides an analysis of how an effective approach to events and festivals should be taken. He starts by saying there needs to be a vision and this must be a clear and unifying vision for events and festivals and that this vision must be based on the vision that we have for our city and our territory.
The consultant goes on to say there must be priorities established for events and festivals. Priorities are essential, obviously, and these priorities will help in allocating funding for each event and festival. The consultant emphasises the importance of two priorities—economic benefit and community benefit—supported by the need for the events and festivals to reinforce brand Canberra and to provide high-quality experiences for the local community as well as the visitors. A strategy is needed to provide a framework for events and festivals.
The suggestion is based on two key seasons—autumn and spring. The consultant says this strategy will provide a sound basis for marketing the events or festivals and to market Canberra. In a coherent strategy, it will enhance the capacity for attracting sponsorship. The consultant notes that the current autumn season of events and festivals is underutilised but powerful in name. Now, I agree to some extent, autumn—
Mr Barr: I knew when you would get to this moment you would have to disagree, because you’re Mr Summer, aren’t you?
MR SMYTH: I agree to some extent. You should listen more closely, Mr Barr.
Mr Barr: Yes, I knew you would have—
MR SPEAKER: Mr Barr, thank you. Please stop interjecting.
Mr Barr: Sorry.
Mr Hanson: Warn him.
MR SMYTH: Now, the problem is actually outlined in the report. The report lists a string of events that already exist in autumn. Autumn is full, and the accommodation is full. If you would match this up—and this highlights the need for the accommodation strategy—it is very difficult for a large proportion of visitors to actually get accommodation in the ACT in autumn, and that is the problem for the minister.
Unfortunately, the actions of this government have devalued the autumn season. The consultant has seen the mess this government has created with the way in which it has approached the autumn season. Again, this is a sad outcome for a series of events that were some of the nation’s showpieces.
The consultant considers the approach of public funding to events and festivals to be erratic and inconsistent. Again, what an indictment of the government. It is difficult to understand how a government, any government, can get things so wrong—dealing with large amounts of funding and still not being effective.
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