EVENTS AND FESTIVALS

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (15:05): Will the Premier update the chamber on the results of our summer events and festivals?

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) (15:05): I was distracted, but I have just heard that the Mayor of the City of Marion, Felicity-ann Lewis, a short time ago was elected President of the Local Government Association of South Australia. I think she will be terrific at the task.

Continuing on from the fantastic successes of the 2009 Tour Down Under, our arts and sports events have done very well, especially in the face of an uncertain economic environment. Certainly, I am very pleased that the member for Frome has spoken to me about his support for a section of the Tour Down Under for the first time ever to start in Clare. That is a very good idea, and one could imagine a section of the Tour Down Under starting in Clare, going through that fantastic countryside, past Penwortham, Sevenhill, Auburn, Leasingham and Tarlee, and so on.

I will have yet another discussion about next year's Tour Down Under. I know the member for Norwood is very keen to have a start in Norwood again. I know the member for Light is very keen to have an even bigger involvement for the township of Gawler. Of course, the member for Mawson can basically count on a Willunga Hill section of the race, as well. It is great to have such enthusiasts in this parliament for the Tour Down Under; and I hope the member for Unley supports the street carnival again.

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I know—and that is what I am saying. I said that I hope you support the idea of its continuing. The people of South Australia—indeed, from across the nation and world—look forward to our festivals and events season. With back-to-back events through, for the most part, balmy summer nights and sunny days, Adelaide streets have been alive and bustling with activity and excitement. The range of events has been quite remarkable and there is literally something for everyone throughout this time, with both free and ticketed events across sporting, racing, music and cultural events.

Last weekend we had another action packed International Rugby Sevens event. I have just been informed that attendances across the event exceeded 28,100. I know the member for Newland was there. It is quite clear that he has played rugby. One only has to look him. He has played Rugby Union and he has the neck for Rugby Union. Thousands of tickets were sold to interstate and overseas visitors. Visitors came from all states of Australia and countries including New Zealand, China, Singapore and Thailand.

I am told that the Rugby Sevens games were beamed into more than 263 million homes across 13 countries, including the United States, the UK, South Africa, Portugal, France, New Zealand and Japan—yet again bringing attention to our beautiful capital and, of course, the magnificent Adelaide Oval. Despite the global economic downturn, attendances were more than 10 per cent higher than the 2007 event.

Two weeks ago we saw our premier motorsport event, the Clipsal 500, draw huge crowds, despite the global economic downturn. Some 272,000 people attended across four days and it drew bigger daily crowds on the Friday and Saturday than the loss-making Melbourne Grand Prix on the equivalent days. Indeed, I was speaking to an expert on matters motor racing yesterday who told me that the Victorian government is losing $52 million this year on the Grand Prix. I am not sure whether that is correct, but that is what I was told by a usually informed source.

Of course, it was even better for motorsport fans this year, with free public transport for all ticket holders and the new temporary pit building and shade for all grandstand patrons. It was great to get a cheerio from those patrons and I could see that they appreciated the shaded facilities.

All Adelaide's hotels were booked out. The economic benefit of this year's event is still being calculated, but the first 10 years of this event has injected $217.9 million into the state's economy. While these latest results are not quite as high as the 2008 results, they are still very strong and add significantly to our cultural life and the economy.

Earlier in March, with the most beautiful weather and what I personally consider to be one of the best line-ups so far, WOMADelaide was again a spectacular success. About 72,000 jubilant attendees sang and danced for three days while watching, listening and experiencing the delights in the Botanic Park. Sales were initially slower than in 2008 (which was the record year) but, as the event got closer and it became apparent that the weather would be mild, interest and excitement grew, with Sunday passes completely selling out in advance—completely sold out.

This followed on from our record 2008 year, with Friday, Saturday and weekend passes selling out—the first year ever that the session passes sold out in advance. Performers and audiences came from around the world to be part of a truly international festival. Again, the economic impact of this year's WOMAD is still being calculated, but last year's results show an estimated net new economic impact of $7.1 million in terms of gross state product. These results vindicate our decision to make WOMAD and the Adelaide Fringe Festival annual events. Where are all those critics who said, 'If you make them annual people won't turn up'? All those whingers and sneerers! Of course, the sales went up massively.

These are well-loved events, and people cannot wait for the time of the year when the program is released so they can plan what they will see—often many months out. The Adelaide Fringe Festival is no exception to this, as I understand that this year's result will show, with a record of up to 975,000 people attending performances and events across the Fringe. Organisers are still tallying ticket sales for this year's event, but current preliminary estimates show that attendances may very well break through the one million mark for the first time.

As I have already informed the house, the Adelaide Film Festival was yet again a resounding success, with a 30 per cent increase in ticketed attendances—an event conceived in genius in that it is absolutely one of the few in the world that invest in making movies rather than just screening them, and those movies have been stars at the Cannes Film Festival and have won virtually every AFI award. Tonight I am looking forward to the launch of the program of this year's Cabaret Festival, which will run from 5 to 20 June. It promises to take a new, diverse and exciting direction under the guidance of David Campbell.

We already know that the first show announced—Bernadette Peters—sold out not long after going on sale. Make sure you grab a program as soon as it is released and book early. You do not have to wait for the Cabaret Festival, because there is plenty to do between now and then. The Barossa Vintage Festival starts this weekend. That is always a treat, with over 100 music, food and cultural events celebrating vintage in one of our many world-class wine regions; and I know that we have a Baron of the Barossa present here. It is an outstanding event and I encourage people to go to the glorious Barossa Valley.

For more information about what is happening in the coming months, I encourage members to visit southaustralia.com or to tune into twitter.com/premiermikerann. You heard it here first!