Motions

Generations in Jazz

Debate resumed.

Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (12:56): I rise today on my slightly broken heels, as the shadow minister for the arts, to support the motion of the member for Mount Gambier—and a great motion it is. Mount Gambier is on the map for many things, and each year Generations in Jazz helps to raise this regional city's profile and plant it on the map for arts and arts education. It dates all the way back to 1987 and has become a mecca for national and international jazz artists and helps to grow a passion in our young people—many of whom are here today—for art, for jazz and for music more generally.

I have been pleased, over the years as a journalist, to attend and report on the event. I can attest to the great energy in the town at the time that Generations in Jazz is being held. Over 5,000 young people in bands are drawn to the annual event each year. They bring their families and friends, and they boost the local economy. When those young people and their families leave, they take with them fond memories of Mount Gambier and the South-East to share with others and to entice them to visit our state and our regions.

In addition to the economic value is the cultural and educational value of the event. The value of the arts to children certainly cannot be underestimated. Not everyone has a gift for music. I certainly do not, beyond sometimes singing to pop songs in the car.

Members interjecting:

Ms STINSON: Yes, I am a big Iggy Azalea fan. Learning an instrument is certainly a wonderful educational exercise for children and young people. Pivotal to the recent success of Generations in Jazz has been the involvement of world-renowned jazz musician James Morrison. He has brought a passion, an energy and a profile that is unrivalled. He has driven the festival forward and boosted it to the high-profile and major event it is today.

That is why the Weatherill government was so proud to back the James Morrison Jazz Scholarship and James Morrison Academy of Music, which was opened by the then premier in 2015. That academy is a partnership with the University of South Australia, and they should also be commended for their investment. The academy was backed by seed funding of half a million dollars from the then Labor government, and as a reporter I remember attending and filing a story on it for 7 News. I most particularly recall the impromptu concert that we were all shouted to by James Morrison. It was just a glimpse of what an impressive musician he is and how lucky our young people are to be able to soak up his years of experience and talent.

This motion calls for Generations in Jazz to be declared a major event and we wholeheartedly support that on this side of the house. It will join the ranks of events such as the Adelaide Festival, WOMAdelaide, the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, SALA (which opens this week), Feast Festival, and the Guitar Festival, which is on very soon as well. I would like to commend this motion to the house.

Mr BELL (Mount Gambier) (12:59): I would just like to thank all members who have made a contribution on this debate.

Motion carried.

Sitting suspended from 12:59 to 14:00.