Adelaide Festivals

The Hon. J.S. LEE (14:39): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the minister representing the Minister for Arts about festival funding.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.S. LEE: On 12 June 2025, ABC news reported that two longstanding Adelaide festivals, the Cabaret Fringe Festival and the Beer & BBQ Festival, have been forced to shut down due to financial pressures. These festivals have played a vital role in enriching South Australia's winter cultural calendar and supporting local creative industries. Despite their cultural and economic contributions, they have struggled to access consistent government support. The 2025-26 state budget allocates less funding to the CreateSA grants program than the estimated actuals for the previous financial year.

The outgoing CEO of Festival City Adelaide, Justyna Jochym, spoke at the SA Festival and Event Industry Policy Summit and highlighted that the biggest problem for the industry was a false dichotomy that the events and festivals were treated differently. As quoted by InDaily, Justyna said 'the consequences of this divide run deep and maintains a narrative that some formats are economic liabilities, while others are economic engines'. My questions to the minister are:

1. Why has the government allowed two well-established and community-driven festivals to collapse without providing targeted support?

2. What action will the government take to ensure the festivals, which are not classified as major events but are still culturally and economically significant, can access sustainable funding in future budgets?

3. Given that the government's own statement outlines its commitment to supporting a vibrant and inclusive arts sector, how does it reconcile with a budget that appears to leave many community-driven festivals unfunded?

The Hon. E.S. BOURKE (Minister for Emergency Services and Correctional Services, Minister for Autism, Minister for Recreation, Sport and Racing) (14:41): I thank the honourable member for her question and I will see what the minister from the other place can bring back.