OzAsia Festival

The Hon. S.W. KEY (Ashford) (14:39): My question is directed to the Minister for the Arts. I have to say that having attended the OzAsia Festival last year and thought it was fabulous, I am also booked up again this year to attend many of the events. I am wondering, minister, whether you can tell the house about some of the highlights of this year's OzAsia Festival.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (14:39): OzAsia kicks off tonight and will run until 4 October. Under the leadership of the new artistic director, Joseph Mitchell, this OzAsia is the largest Asian-focused arts festival in Australia. With 180 programmed performances and events over the 11 days, this year's festival is a delight for all the senses, with an eclectic mix of music, dance, theatre, exhibitions and talks. For the first time the festival will also host the night noodle market, which will see the riverbank transformed into an Asian hawker-style marketplace.

The Hon. J.W. Weatherill interjecting:

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: It could, indeed. I have checked in with the Bureau of Meteorology, and with a forecast of 24º and a zero per cent chance of rain—touch wood—this year's Moon Lantern Festival will see Elder Park come alive on Sunday. It being just a short stroll across the footbridge, it will provide the perfect backdrop to, hopefully, celebrate a Woodville-West Torrens premiership. This year's Moon Lantern Festival will feature never before seen lanterns, food trucks—

Mr KNOLL: Point of order, Mr Speaker.

The SPEAKER: I do not see anything about the Woodville-West Torrens premiership on the website.

Mr KNOLL: Sir, I have diligently listened and there is nothing new that is not on the website that I have provided a link to you, so far at least—

Members interjecting:

The SPEAKER: Hang on. Is the member for Schubert asserting that the content of this answer is available in another place?

Mr KNOLL: Yes, sir.

The SPEAKER: What place is that?

Mr KNOLL: As directed to your inbox, it is on the Adelaide Festival Theatre's website: /ozasia-festival.

The Hon. S.W. KEY: Point of order, sir.

The SPEAKER: Point of order, member for Ashford.

The Hon. S.W. KEY: My point of order, sir, is that I am asking the minister what he considers to be the highlights, so I cannot see how that could be on the—

Members interjecting:

The Hon. S.W. KEY: I would have finished my point of order except I was yelled at by somebody.

The SPEAKER: I am sorry; I cannot find these words on the net. If the member for Schubert can show me where these words are—

An honourable member: He is very good with the computer, sir; he will be able to.

The SPEAKER: The member for Mount Gambier is warned. The cultural attaché.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: This year's Moon Lantern Festival will feature never before seen lanterns, food trucks, roving street performances and a spectacular fireworks display, and I encourage all members of the house to get along.

One show that Joseph Mitchell has recommended as not to be missed in this year's program is Amber. China's leading theatre director, Meng Jinghui, will wow audiences with what has been described as a 'mind-blowing, impromptu rock, dance and rapid-fire multimedia' performance, exploring love and the loss of innocence in modern China.

OzAsia not only provides South Australians with an opportunity to immerse ourselves in the cultures of our nearest neighbours, it also helps us forge strong economic engagement with the fastest-growing regions in the world. This year's OzAsia focus is on West Java, and yesterday I was pleased to welcome the region's Vice Governor Mr Deddy Mizwar, who is in Adelaide as a guest of the festival. Last year's focus on the Shandong province in China was a catalyst from which many strong trade and economic connections have since been forged. Likewise, this year's focus on West Java provides a great opportunity to build stronger ties between our state and the rich and diverse Indonesian region.

The strength of our OzAsia Festival is a credit to the Adelaide Festival Centre, and I thank the centre's chief executive Douglas Gautier, the director Joseph Mitchell, and the rest of the team at the centre for the hard work they have put into this important event. OzAsia is an event that all South Australians should embrace and be proud of, and I encourage everyone to get along and support this fantastic festival.