Page 1945 - Week 07 - Tuesday, 14 May 2013
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restricted by the size of the basket, because it actually has a very small basket. So I imagine there are opportunities but from my discussion with the owner of the balloon on the weekend, I do not think he is doing it in relation to any future commercial opportunity.
He has 100 flights as part of the life expectancy of a balloon. He is doing it because he is committed to the project. But our commitment, our $300,000, is for a fixed period of time, for the centenary year. Once that expires, it is over to the owner and, indeed, the artist about any further opportunities that come from the Skywhale’s creation.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mrs Jones.
MRS JONES: Chief Minister, are payments for the events going to be simply for the 100 flights and are they in the ACT?
MS GALLAGHER: We have not paid for 100 flights. As I understand it, the life expectancy of the balloon is for 100 flights. I think we have actually taken this on notice from annual reports hearings. There are a number of flights within the $300,000 budget that we have allocated. My understanding is each flight is $3½ thousand.
MADAM SPEAKER: Supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, how many flights does the government’s committed $300,000 get for the territory overall?
MS GALLAGHER: I will come back, and I think we did take this on notice. I have not seen an exact figure; I have not seen a number that I can give you other than that there are flights around Australia as part of the centenary celebrations. But again that goes to the original goal of the art. The art is to project Canberra outwards to Australia, not just here in the ACT.
I do find it interesting that those that criticise the Skywhale and say how awful it is then want to know that every flight happens in Canberra. I presume they then shut their eyes when she flies over because they do not actually—
Mrs Jones: Yes. I’ll have to lock the kids up; otherwise I will have to explain it to them.
MS GALLAGHER: My kids were down there on the weekend, Mrs Jones, and I can tell you that the kids do not have a problem with Skywhale. They were pretty happy with the Skywhale. It is the adults that have the problem with it.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Doszpot.
MR DOSZPOT: Chief Minister, does the government pay to get the Skywhale to the interstate events? If so, how much is set aside for this? Does the territory get any residual payments for appearances interstate?
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