Anna’s arts vision needs to catch up with reality

Anna Bligh’s talk about wanting to “be a part of” the Cairns performing arts centre proposal is hollow talk while Far North Queenslanders continue to miss out on leading arts performances due to inadequate facilities.

LNP Leader and Shadow Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek said reports that companies could not tour in Cairns because of a lack of facilities showed that Premier Bligh’s arts agenda was little more than lip service.

“So long as companies such as the Queensland Ballet are unable to take major productions to Cairns many Queenslanders will be missing out on a valuable cultural experience,” Mr Langbroek said.

One of the goals of the Queensland Arts & Cultural Sector Plan 2010-13 is to deliver engaged audiences and culturally active communities.

Mr Langbroek said exposure to the arts is an important part of cultural development.

“If a major Queensland population centre cannot host one of the state flagship companies, then the Premier needs to take action.  Saying that ‘she wants to be a part of’ any solution to this problem is no guarantee the people of Cairns will see any solution.

“The Arts Sector Plan has stumbled at the first step, with the Premier failing to take into account the lack of appropriate facilities in major population centres like Cairns.

“The Bligh Government is letting Queenslanders down so long as they allow this situation to continue.”