ARTS EVENTS

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS (14:39): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Tourism a question about the arts.

Leave granted.

The Hon. G.A. KANDELAARS: Members would know that the South Australian Tourist Commission and Events SA bring many amazing sporting events to Adelaide. What may not be known is that the SATC is also involved in the arts. Can the minister tell the chamber about an important international exhibition which will be coming to Adelaide?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:40): I thank the member for his most important question and his ongoing interest in the arts—his profound interest in the arts. The decision by the Art Gallery of South Australia to bring Turner from the Tate: the Making of the Master has been a very welcome one. As members may know, Turner was one of Britain's greatest artists, and this exhibition will bring a comprehensive selection of his iconic works from the Tate in London to Adelaide.

I am advised that the South Australian Tourism Commission is delighted to be able to support the Art Gallery of South Australia with this event. The exhibition has wide-ranging appeal, with the potential not only to increase the vibrancy of the city but also to attract visitors here to South Australia. The SATC will be assisting the Art Gallery by providing interstate marketing support and working with the gallery on the development of the exhibition tourism packages.

This is not the first time that the Tourism Commission has partnered with the Art Gallery to bring an important exhibition to South Australia. In recent times, the commission provided marketing support for the Saatchi Gallery in Adelaide: British Art Now exhibition, which was a fabulous exhibition, I have to say. I thought it was absolutely brilliant. Adelaide was the only location in Australia to host this significant event, which showcased contemporary British art. The fact that the Turner exhibition is coming here is also a real coup for South Australia. It will be here for 100 days, from 8 February to 19 May, and coincide with some of our great arts festivals, including the Fringe and the Adelaide Festival.

As the honourable member mentioned, Events South Australia is perhaps best known for bringing amazing sporting events to our state. This year alone has seen a number, including the Australian Swimming Championships, which included a record number of 834 registered competitors. The economic impact of this event was close to $5 million and the media value was $7.5 million, I have been advised.

Earlier this year, the 2012 World Tennis Challenge was held at Memorial Drive. The event saw sold-out crowds, and a total of 15,500 spectators and over 2,000 tennis enthusiasts participated across 10 days in the Be Active Challenge. The World Tennis Challenge has most recently been announced as the 2012 Sport SA event of the year.

From 22 to 26 February, the Specialized Australian Mountain Bike Championship event was held at Eagle Mountain Bike Park. It had more than 550 competitors and two hours of broadcast secured on SBS television. Our state also held the World Croquet Championships that ran from 28 April to 6 May. I am advised that this event attracted 80 top-ranked players from 11 countries who competed in the championships. A total of 4,000 spectators attended, and that included interstate and regional visitors.

The Australian University Games were held here from 23 to 28 September this year, the largest annual multisport event in Australia, and this is its 20^th year. The AUG attracted just over 6,000 student athletes and accompanying team managers and staff from 40 tertiary institutions across Australia. The Inline Hockey National Championships were held here from 28 September to 6 October and saw 50 teams competing.

The FINA World Junior Driving Championships were held here in October. More than 250 of the world's best young divers, representing more than 40 countries, competed. Adelaide was the first Australian city to host this international event. This month the Adelaide International 3 Day Event was held, the world bowls championship was conducted and the 15^th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies world cricket festival is currently underway.

Each year we enjoy the Santos Tour Down Under, which is our most famous event, and I know that many members here are looking forward to the 2013 event with a lot of enthusiasm. These events and attractions over the past year demonstrate this government's commitment to its 'vibrant city' priority.