WOMADELAIDE

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:08): My question is directed to the Premier. Premier, I am a bit embarrassed to ask you this question, but can you advise the house about the events taking place in Botanic Park over this weekend?

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (14:09): Once again, WOMADelaide, Adelaide's best loved and respected music festival, is being staged in our Botanic Park over the weekend. Starting tomorrow, over two days and three glorious nights in the splendour of Botanic Park, more than 400 artists from 20 countries will celebrate their cultural diversity through song and dance, providing a fascinating window to their cultures. Since it started back in 1992, it has built up every year to be now one of the big events of our tourism and cultural calendar. In fact, WOMAD has become one of the great drawcards for bringing people across the border from Melbourne, Western Australia and elsewhere.

Among the superb selection of artists taking to one of the seven open-air stages this weekend will be Brazil's stunning Clube do Balanço, of which I know the Leader of the Opposition would be a fan; Cape Verde diva, Césaria Evora; the Idan Raichel Project from Israel; Japan's Joji Hirota Trio; the Kong Nay from Cambodia; 2007 WOMADelaide favourite, Billy Cobham; and the beautiful songs of Peru's Suasana Baca, whom we remember from recent years. These are amongst the acclaimed Australian acts such as the John Butler Trio, Sarah Blasko and the Beautiful Girls, with other artists from nations such as Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Mali, Mexico, Romania, Russia, Tibet and Uganda. We are obviously in for a great treat.

Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to relax and indulge in the delights of delicious food and wines as they explore the special WOMAD global village of arts, crafts and workshops. KidsZone entertainments make this festival a treat for the entire family, surrounded by the inspiring sights and sounds of hundreds of performers from across the world. As members know, I made a controversial decision to make this an annual event from 2004. Remember what the critics said? The critics said that it wouldn't work, that the people wouldn't come, but of course attendances have increased massively. What I was very keen to do, because I heard there were others sniffing around, was to roadblock any competition.

I am pleased that, after a meeting with WOMAD founder, Peter Gabriel—whom John Hill would remember from Genesis in England last year—we are also developing plans (announced today in the house) for another smaller annual three-day camping festival to be staged in October from 2010 at a rural venue in South Australia. The WOMAD Earth Station will have strong environmental themes and projects. I am looking forward to being able to advise the house of progress on this project as plans develop.

For the 2008 WOMADelaide event, Australia's largest environmental organisation, Greening Australia, has joined forces with the festival to reduce the festival's carbon footprint. Festival goers have also been given the opportunity when purchasing their tickets of offsetting their carbon footprint. Zero Waste will aid the festival in its efforts to ensure that it recycles and composts the maximum amount of waste possible. I am pleased that, after those talks with Peter Gabriel and Thomas Brooman, we now have, essentially, the rights to stage WOMAD right up until 2019. So, WOMAD is here to stay.

Additionally for the first time, an eco-village of interactive art and environment education will be a part of the Botanic Park WOMADelaide featuring interactive eco-living displays and speakers on key water, energy, waste and biodiversity issues.

It is estimated that hosting the 2007 WOMADelaide event contributed about $6.9 million to South Australia's economy, up from $3.3 million in 2003. Over this time attendance at the event has grown considerably and this year, for the first time ever, weekend passes have sold out prior to WOMADelaide's commencing. There are still tickets available for each of the day and evening sessions, but I suggest Mr Speaker, that those members wishing to go should buy their tickets quickly. I look forward to welcoming the Leader of the Opposition and other members (in their cheesecloth) to WOMAD at the weekend.