CULTURAL VALUE RESEARCH PROJECT

The Hon. P. CAICA (Colton) (14:41): My question is to the Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts. What does the Flinders University Cultural Value Research Project say about the real worth of arts in Adelaide?

The Hon. C.C. FOX (Bright—Minister for Transport Services, Minister Assisting the Minister for the Arts) (14:42): I thank the member for Colton. I am well aware of his rampaging interest in the arts. Yesterday, I had the privilege of attending Flinders University's Cultural Value Symposium, entitled 'The real worth of the arts in Adelaide'. Recently, there has been much discussion about the economic impact of the arts in South Australia. Just last week, the government announced that the Fringe had delivered a massive economic expenditure benefit to South Australia of $64.6 million. That is a 34 per cent increase on last year's Fringe. It is a staggering difference.

Mrs Redmond: That's more than the Clipsal.

The Hon. C.C. FOX: I hear the member for Heysen; she supports the Fringe and the Clipsal. It is true that tourism arts work well in this state. It is a good thing. It is a staggering difference, the 34.4 per cent, which has been achieved in just 12 months. However, dollar figures are only one measure of assessment. Figures such as these lead many to ask the question: what is the real worth of the arts? There is some scepticism about equating culture solely with its economic impact.

When looking at a government's investment into the arts, the economic result is an important part of the outcome. We can look at the actual dollars earned by cultural activities, the jobs created and the effects on businesses, but this is a narrow measure. We also need to have an understanding and appreciation of the enhancement that arts and culture bring to our general quality of life.

Adelaide, as the festival state, recognises the role that arts and culture plays in our everyday lives and this is why the government is a very strong supporter of the arts in South Australia. Research by an international team based at Flinders University looked at the cultural value of the 2013 Adelaide Festival. It discovered that the cultural value of this festival was worth almost $85 million. This is much higher than the sole economic impact.

These results were determined through a trial of contingency valuation methods carried out at the Festival this year. The approach was developed through Flinders University's relationship with the Swedish University of Gothenburg and was analysed by Dr Steve Brown, principal investigator for the cultural value research project, from Flinders University and his dedicated research team.

The SPEAKER: The minister will not interact with the gallery, especially while she is answering a question.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: You are a hard, stony-hearted man, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: And I call the minister to order.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. C.C. FOX: I'm here; I'm here for you. Professor Julian Meyrick, Strategic Professor of Creative Arts at Flinders, looked at qualitative methods that ran in tandem with Dr Brown's quantitative approach. This is why the cultural value project is unique. It has a double-research focus on numerical and text-based analyses which, I know, Mr Speaker, makes you very, very happy.

I'd like to take this opportunity to congratulate both Dr Brown and Professor Meyrick and their research team at Flinders, along with their international peers, for their work on this important topic. This cultural value project highlights the benefits of investing in the arts. This government, unlike some, has always been highly supportive of the arts, and this research vindicates our decision to do so. Thank you for your indulgence, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: Yes, that is the second question time in a row when the Minister for Transport Services has been disorderly. The member for Frome.