Page 1769 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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handling of this matter, and at worst, operated in a shop that has been open only to a select few. In short, this government has failed the arts community, has failed the general community and, worst of all, has failed Megalo Print Studio + Gallery. I would contend that as a result of their mishandling of this entire process they have caused angst, disruption and bitterness in the whole arts community that is likely to endure for some years to come.
The future use of the Fitters Workshop has been a subject of media and public interest for quite a long time now but unfortunately the government refused to listen. As long ago as July 2009, the Canberra Times published a story titled “Fight Looms over Fitters Workshop”. In that article, Don Aitkin spoke of:
… a multi-purpose cultural facility which could be used for all sorts of things … a good place for doing almost anything where you needed to come in, do it, and go away again.
In October 2009, the May & Russell report noted that accommodating Megalo in their own building would avoid the impact on the heritage values of the Fitters Workshop and would allow its more flexible use by various groups. Mr Speaker, over the past 10 years land has been set aside within the Kingston arts precinct for a new 1,000 square metre floor space building. This would more than adequately provide for a purpose-built facility for Megalo.
But this government has ignored all of that. It has made a decision in relation to the future use of the Fitters Workshop premised almost entirely on a handwritten note. That note was made by the former Chief Minister and arts minister Jon Stanhope at the top of a letter to him dated 22 August 2008 from the Megalo Print Studio.
Appealing perhaps to Mr Stanhope’s vanity and his sometimes perceived obsession with the visual arts, this letter asked him to make an executive decision to move Megalo to the Fitters Workshop. Mr Stanhope’s note said: “This is a persuasive and very tempting proposition. Advice and response please?” Mr Speaker, therein was the government’s decision, a decision made without proper process, a decision that has split the community.
The committee’s inquiry sought to fill the gaps left by the government. It engaged with the community. It sought expert advice. It considered the overall concept of the Kingston arts precinct. It looked at all the options and it has developed some recommendations that provide a win-win solution. Critical to that solution is the recommendation that calls on the government to take immediate steps to identify an alternative site for a purpose-built Megalo facility at the Kingston arts precinct.
In doing so, the Canberra Liberals, besides being on the committee, reckon the government should ensure that the $3.8 million already standing in the budget for capital works should be directed to building that purpose-built facility. It makes sense, Mr Speaker. The government needs to give Megalo certainty and those immediate steps and that redirection of funding will provide that certainty.
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