ADELAIDE FESTIVAL

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS (14:56): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for State/Local Government Relations, representing the Minister for Tourism, a question about sponsorship of the Adelaide Festival.

Leave granted.

The Hon. T.J. STEPHENS: Members might be aware that recently the Adelaide City Council voted to withhold its sponsorship of the Adelaide Festival until it received an answer to why it does not have a representative on the board. Until now, the council has always had a representative on the board to oversee the large sums of money it provides to the festival, which was some $600,000 at the last festival. This large sum of money would, no doubt, be an integral part of the successful running of one of our most important tourism and arts events. My question is: what action is the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for the City of Adelaide taking to ensure that this vital sponsorship is forthcoming?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for State/Local Government Relations, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Consumer Affairs, Minister for Government Enterprises, Minister Assisting the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Energy) (14:57): I thank the honourable member for his most important question. I will refer it to the Minister for Tourism in another place and bring back a reply.