Page 4748 - Week 11 - Wednesday, 20 October 2010
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The final amendment that we are proposing is noting the current consultation process, as I have touched on already. We think it is important to acknowledge that the Loxton report is out to consultation at the moment. But we have also asked the government—they have committed to this and we would like to reflect this in the motion—to place the submissions received as part of that consultation process on the community engagement website.
In taking up this debate next February when the government comes back on this matter, it will be valuable for all members of the chamber to be able to look at some of the submissions that have been made, to spend some time going through those submissions and to ensure a fully informed debate in the Assembly rather than perhaps, dare I be cynical, be in a situation where we only see those particular inputs that the government has found favour with.
I think it is important that we are able to see all of those inputs. Having explained some of those amendments, as I said the Greens welcome the fact that Mr Smyth has brought this motion forward today. I appreciate the discussions we have had with him in making some suggestions as to how to flesh out the motion a little. I look forward to support for those amendments in getting this matter passed.
I particularly look forward to the government’s response next February on what is a very interesting topic and one which I think the ACT must continually strive on because it is such an important sector for this community.
MR BARR (Molonglo—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Planning, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation and Minister for Gaming and Racing) (3.39): I will speak briefly on these matters as most of the issues have been extensively canvassed. One of the things that have clearly confused a number of people in relation to the Loxton report is that it was an inquiry into all events in the ACT and that there is a very clear delineation between tourism events and community-based events. The Loxton review was looking at a range of things. It is often misunderstood, and certainly by at least one ABC breakfast announcer, that the tourism portfolio only runs one event in Floriade and this was added to by an initiative of this government—the autumn event.
Australian Capital Tourism are responsible for two events out of the entire events calendar. We provide some financial assistance through the events assistance program to other organisations to run other events that have a tourism benefit, but the vast majority of events that are funded by the ACT government or that are run in the Australian Capital Territory are community based and have little or no tourism potential. I do not think anyone is coming to Canberra particularly for the Teddy Bears Picnic, Groovin’ in Garema or the Dogs Day Out. They are all events that are municipal in nature that are run for the local community.
However, there is clearly a hierarchy of events. At the top of our hierarchy of events is Floriade, which is clearly the biggest tourism event in the city. We set in train a desire to have an autumn event that would rival Floriade over time, recognising that when Floriade started more than 20 years ago it was a very small event but it has
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