Page 2077 - Week 07 - Thursday, 20 August 2020
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paint. It is a serious issue; however, it is being managed appropriately, with the advice of experts, in order to reassure the families, teachers and students in that school, based on health advice and the advice of experts, that that school is safe and comfortable, if it is managed appropriately, in line with that expert advice.
MS LEE: Minister, have you apologised, or will you apologise, to the parents and teachers of Harrison School, given that the source of the asbestos was never found? Indeed, the same goes for the way you have handled the Yarralumla contamination issue.
MS BERRY: Madam Speaker, I did not catch the last bit of the question. Could Ms Lee please repeat the question?
MS LEE: Minister, have you apologised, or will you apologise, to the parents and teachers of Harrison School, given that the source of the asbestos was never found? Indeed, the same goes for the parents at Yarralumla, given the way you have handled the lead contamination issue.
MS BERRY: Of course I am sorry that the incident has occurred and has caused some anxiety amongst that school community. However, the advice that I have, based on expert management of these systems, based on the advice of WorkSafe and the Chief Health Officer, is that it is being managed appropriately and has a very low health risk. I believe it is being managed appropriately by the Education Directorate. Communication with parents and that school community continues, as we make sure that there is a level of comfort, as well as safety, for those students and teachers, and that parents are assured that it is being managed with expert advice. It is not me that is stepping out and trying to do scaremongering; it is about reassuring and providing information every step of the way.
Arts—COVID-19
MS CHEYNE: My question is to the Minister for the Arts, Creative Industries and Cultural Events. Can you please update the Assembly on how the ACT government has responded to support the arts and artists during the coronavirus pandemic?
MR RAMSAY: I thank Ms Cheyne for the important question. I am indeed pleased to note that the ACT government is widely recognised as the jurisdiction that has moved the most quickly and decisively to support our artists, whose livelihoods were so suddenly and negatively impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Overall, the ACT government’s additional support for the arts in response to this devastating impact of COVID-19 on the sector has now reached just over $6 million. That is on top of more than $10 million that is provided annually to the sector in the arts fund and the $9 million in ACT government funding annually that supports the Cultural Facilities Corporation.
Our initial response to support artists was announced on 24 March, just eight days after the public health emergency declaration was made. We were able to quickly provide financial support for 66 artists through the very well received first round of
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