Question Time

WORD ADELAIDE

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY (Leader of the Opposition) (14:17): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the minister representing the Minister for Tourism a question regarding Word Adelaide.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: In mid-August, Adelaide hosted a new festival, called Word Adelaide. This was suppose to be August's answer to the Adelaide Fringe and Festival, a counterpoint to Mad March and a springboard for new festivals in the state. Disappointingly, the state chose to focus the festival on a microscopically small niche market, with little potential for success. It was an ill-guided and misjudged cash splash.

In fact, a source told me that the Fringe Festival considered running shows of a similar theme but discarded the idea as it was unprofitable. I understand the festival cost the taxpayers of this state some $400,000 to run. The event was an unmitigated disaster, with taxpayers' money being spent on an unattended festival and its headline act described as 'flaccid' by The Advertiser.

Members interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: Some might laugh—it was flaccid. That was in the article in The Advertiser. My questions to the minister are:

1. Under whose guidance was Word Adelaide conceived, implemented and undertaken?

2. What due diligence was done on previous—

The Hon. R.P. Wortley interjecting:

The Hon. D.W. RIDGWAY: I'll be talking about things that are flaccid in this place when I'm looking at you, the Hon. Russell Wortley.

3. How much funding was given to run the festival, including administration, advertising and marketing?

4. How much were guests, especially the international ones such as Matt Lucas and Gary Kemp, paid to attend the festival?

5. How much was spent on the guests while they were in Adelaide, including accommodation, dining and entertainment and, for that matter, how much was spent on their airfares?

6. What were the combined ticket sales for all the events?

7. How many tickets were sold to the headline act, which had to be moved from the Entertainment Centre because of poor ticket sales and was then staged at Her Majesty's Theatre? I am advised that there were five A4 pages of names for free tickets. How many free tickets were given away?

8. Will the festival be running next year to waste more of the state's taxpayers' money?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) (14:20): I thank the honourable member for his most important questions and undertake to take them to the minister in the other place and seek a response on his behalf.