Arts Festivals

Ms HILDYARD (Reynell) (15:10): My question is to the Minister for the Arts. Minister, how are our festivals making South Australia both a national and international performing arts leader?

The SPEAKER: The cultural attaché.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING (Playford—Minister for Health, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Health Industries) (15:10): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker, and I thank the member for Reynell for her question. On 24 July, the annual Helpmann Awards were held in Sydney. These awards recognise the success of performing arts in Australia. I am extremely pleased that, following on from our whopping 19 nominations, South Australia well and truly punched above its weight. Rachel Healy and Neal Armfield promised big things for this year's Adelaide Festival, and they delivered our biggest success, winning seven awards, including six for its operatic masterpiece, Handel's Saul, directed by Barrie Kosky.

The Hon. L.W.K. Bignell: Bazza.

The Hon. J.J. SNELLING: Big Bazza, that's right. I know that everyone is eagerly anticipating what the Festival's big ticket item will be for 2018, and I can assure you that you don't have long to wait, with the big reveal happening next Thursday. South Australia's Amber McMahon also saw success at the Helpmanns, winning best supporting female actor for her role in Windmill Theatre's Girl Asleep.

Internationally, South Australian artists are finding success through the Made in Adelaide initiative. Last week, South Australia took over the London Riviera before embarking on the Edinburgh Fringe. Local cabaret star Anya Anastasia summed up her experience with Made in Adelaide last night when she wrote, and I quote:

I am so proud to be a part of the Made in Adelaide delegation here in Edinburgh, surrounded by so many great artists, movers and shakers from Adelaide here in Edinburgh strengthening the connection between our festivals and being ambassadors for our city and cultural scene abroad. It's a really amazing initiative, and I hope it exists and grows for years to come.

I also know that our adopted German superstar Hans is also having an exceptional time, receiving numerous five-star awards as he offends a whole new audience in Edinburgh. The Adelaide Fringe is making their presence felt with an Edinburgh-flavoured version of their popular Goosechase game, pop-up information tents and Adelaide-themed black cabs hitting the road.

On the back of this year's Fringe Fling, Sonya Feldhoff from the ABC and Janice Forsyth from the BBC are teaming up again to present a joint program from Edinburgh. These programs will promote Adelaide right across Scotland and will be played back here next Tuesday and Wednesday.

I know these initiatives have a great impact on both artists and tourists who come flocking to Adelaide every summer. Can I finish by wishing the Edinburgh Fringe and Festival both a happy 70^th birthday. Last year, we signed a memorandum of understanding to formalise what has already been an incredible bond between our two cities. I look forward to continuing this engagement as our Fringes and Festivals go from strength to strength.