ADELAIDE FRINGE

Dr CLOSE (Port Adelaide) (14:28): My question is to the Premier. Can the Premier inform the house about the success of the Adelaide Fringe and the effect it is having on the city's vibrancy, economy and world standing?

The SPEAKER: To say it is a success is something of a comment.

Dr CLOSE: Success or otherwise.

The SPEAKER: Or otherwise, okay. The Premier.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL (Cheltenham—Premier, Treasurer, Minister for State Development, Minister for the Public Sector, Minister for the Arts) (14:29): Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I will wade into that controversy about whether it has been a success or otherwise. I thank the honourable member for her question. I attended last Friday, along with a number of those present in this chamber, the parade, the 2011 Adelaide Fringe parade, a spectacular parade which went down the centre of King William Street.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: What did I say?

Members interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Well, you were there, I'm sure you enjoyed it—the 2013 parade going down King William Street, and it was a great event. Indeed, the parade featured many artists, community groups, extraordinary floats, and employees, friends and families of Fringe sponsors. The Fringe sponsors really do participate in this event in an amazing way. One of the sponsors, I think, is Minter Ellison, and they excel themselves every year with their particular get-up.

The Fringe estimates that nearly 60,000 people headed to the city to watch the parade to see the Fringe shows and explore the Fringe venues. There are 323 Fringe venues this year with 167 Fringe venues in the Adelaide city square mile; 113 of them in the city are pop-up venues, with 28 pubs and clubs. Venues such as Gluttony, Holden Street Theatres, Birdcage at Arcade Lane, Tuxedo Cat return this year and are joined by new venues Ensalada, Howl the Moon, Popeye, the Bus Stop, Freak Central, and the Depot. The Depot is on the side of the old Adelaide bus depot, and there is a fantastic renaissance of that piece of unused public space at the moment.

There were 10,000 visitors who came through the door on the opening night of the Garden of Unearthly Delights, and that's going from strength to strength. There are 147 venues outside of the CBD, and so the Fringe is spreading out across South Australia. Of course, this is operated by Adelaide Fringe Incorporated, a not-for-profit association. I want to pay particular credit to Greg Clarke and the Fringe Chair, Judy Potter, who is supported by a fantastic team that just keeps making this Fringe event go from good to fantastic.

Supported by South Australian, Australian and international companies, the Fringe sponsors—people like Bank SA, the principal partner; major partners, Minter Ellison, lawyers; Coopers; PWC; and Internode—all of those are doing fantastic things. Last year, the Fringe delivered a massive economic benefit to the state of $48.2 million, an increase of 18 per cent on 2011. That's a return to the state government investment of $1 to $43—a fantastic investment for the state.

Building on this growing success, of course, we extended the Fringe by an extra week this year, and ticket sales for the first weekend are tracking 13 per cent up on the same time as last year, so it looks like this investment is, once again, going to pay off. So, congratulations to all those people that are participating. I encourage all members of the house, including those opposite, to come in and enjoy the—

Ms Chapman: I am in one.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: You're in one?

Ms Chapman: Yes.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: Congratulations. What is it?

Ms Chapman:Miss Responsibility.

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL:Miss Responsibility, how appropriate—at last!

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. J.W. WEATHERILL: That's right—live from the Liberal Party room, March 2013. Can I just encourage all those members on both sides of the house to get involved in this wonderful event.