Arts Festivals

Ms WORTLEY (Torrens) (14:36): My question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, what are some of the events happening as part of our major festival season, and what are the expected economic benefits to the local economy?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:36): I thank the member for Torrens for her question and her dedication and interest in our vibrant arts sector here in South Australia. Mr Speaker, with the—

Mr Pisoni interjecting:

The SPEAKER: The member for Unley is very close to being ejected under the sessional order.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: With the Fringe now into its second week, the Australian International Documentary Conference this week, and the Adelaide Festival of Arts and Writers' Week kicking off this weekend, it is fair to say the festival season is well and truly upon us. By the close of the first week of the Fringe, over 85,000 Fringetix have been sold—around 8 per cent more than the same time last year. Our Fringe parade, featuring seven stunning sirens, 80 floats and 850 Fringe artists—

Mr Pengilly: Have you been to see them?

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: I have; there is a striking resemblance to the member for Finniss—'the member for Finniss in drag' I think is what I thought when I saw them. Our Fringe parade, featuring seven stunning sirens, 80 floats and 850 Fringe artists drew record crowds on opening night, with around 57,000 people lining our city streets. Of the 1,000 events taking place during the Fringe, we have struck a great balance of local, interstate and overseas shows across every art form. I would like to acknowledge the outgoing director, Greg Clarke, who has brought together what is shaping up to be a successful Fringe.

Under the direction of Joost Den Hartog, the Australian International Documentary Conference, with its new branding, Net-Work-Play, has been taking place this week at the Convention Centre. Attracting around 450 delegates from 12 countries, as well as local established and up-and-coming producers, the conference has a great program which focuses on how documentary makers can benefit from the changing media landscape. Running in conjunction with Net-Work-Play, the Media Resource Centre hosted Doc Week at the Mercury Cinema, which has showcased some of the best local, national and international documentaries.

The Adelaide Festival of Arts, our internationally renowned event, kicks off on Friday. Under the direction of David Sefton, the festival will hit the accelerator on the festival season. While each festival has its own role to play, the Adelaide Festival consistently delivers the highest number of visitor nights, most airport traffic, and the largest economic impact in terms of new money into the state, valued at around $25.3 million over 17 days and nights. The festival incorporates Writers' Week, which, under the direction of Laura Kroetsch, is again developing a predominantly free program of wonderful writers and thinkers from across Australia and overseas.

Of course, although it is still a couple of weeks away, one of the highlights on the Adelaide arts calendar, WOMAD—I look forward to seeing the member for Finniss in his kaftan—is shaping up to be a great event. I understand that their presales are above average compared to the same time in previous years.

Mr Speaker, from comedians to writers, documentary makers to visual artists, world music and everything in between, our festival season really does have something for everyone. I encourage everyone to get along, support our festivals and experience something different. Get along, indeed.