Page 2868 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014

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Omit all words after paragraph (h), substitute:

“(i) Federal, State and Territory Arts Ministers will meet at the Meeting of Cultural Ministers in Alice Springs in October; and

(2) calls on the Minister for the Arts to:

(a) continue to support the development of arts and cultural activity in the ACT;

(b) continue to advocate on behalf of ACT artists with the Australia Council and the Meeting of Cultural Ministers; and

Unless we can put some evidence that the Australia Council is somehow biased against the ACT into the discussion, it is a part of the motion that should not be there. I would be interested in how you judge a competitive arts process that somebody always gets an agreed percentage. Surely it is based on the offering; surely it is based on the strength of the submission. I will listen with interest when Ms Berry closes as to how she has come to that conclusion.

MS BURCH (Brindabella—Minister for Education and Training, Minister for Disability, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Racing and Gaming, Minister for Women and Minister for the Arts) (5.46): I thank Ms Berry for bringing on this matter and I thank Mr Smyth for his consistent grace and politeness when he stands to talk to motions in this place.

The ACT is populated by people of all ages who love the arts. They choose to watch, attend and participate at one of the highest rates in Australia. Whilst we are fortunate to be the home of so many wonderful national cultural institutions, let us not take for granted our own local arts organisations which play a significant role in engaging with our community and drawing people into the arts.

Last year more than 300,000 people attended an arts activity offered by one of our government supported key arts organisations. Some of those 300,000 are happy to remain in the audience and others are continuing their interest as a hobby, while others will be inspired to pursue a full-time career in the arts. Warehouse Circus is just one of our key arts organisations providing a range of activities to meet all levels of interest. As part of the Circus for Life Festival last year, the Warehouse Circus presented Turn the Page at the Belconnen Community Theatre. This show brought together five troupes, a total of 65 performers, to weave the story of what libraries might be like if the books come to life. For many performers it was their first time on stage and it was an incredible experience for all involved—audiences and performers alike.

Warehouse Circus has supported many local artists to make the leap to professional performance. One of the graduates has now been accepted into the National Institute of Circus Arts, where he will train full time at an elite level. He credits Warehouse Circus for developing not only his skills but also his passion and love for circus.

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