Legislative Council - Fifty-Second Parliament, Second Session (52-2)
2012-05-15 Daily Xml

Contents

GRAFFITI ART WORKSHOPS

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (15:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Youth a question concerning graffiti art workshops at the Carclew Youth Arts Centre.

Leave granted.

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD: The Hills & Valley Messenger dated today (15 May 2012) contains an article entitled 'Bike trails are on track', which details the additional police patrols that are needed in an effort to stem the extent of graffiti along the Hills railway line. The article said that five people have been charged and a further six reported since the patrols began in September last year. A further and separate article in the City North Messenger, also of today's date, says, and I quote:

Budding street artists will be able to learn from the masters at graffiti workshops at Carclew Youth Arts Centre this month. Aspiring graffiti artists will be taught a range of aerosol art skills, including drawing portraits and writing calligraphy.

Does the Minister for Youth (or the Minister for the Arts, in fact, as it may be in this case) regard the organising, promotion and funding by the government of workshops on graffiti art, so called, consistent with, first, the government policy of increasing policing aimed at detecting, charging and prosecuting those who mark graffiti on public or privately owned property; and, secondly, the proposed government amendment in the Graffiti Control (Miscellaneous) Amendment Bill (which, indeed, we will be dealing with today, I understand), which is aimed at increasing penalties for graffiti offenders? If so, can the minister give this house an assurance—and, indeed, the public of South Australia an assurance—that it is being made very clear at these workshops where it is appropriate to use this form of art and where it is not?

The Hon. R.P. WORTLEY (Minister for Industrial Relations, Minister for State/Local Government Relations) (15:25): I thank the member for his very important question. I will refer that to the Minister for the Arts in another place and get an answer as soon as I can.