Humphries' Frantic Floriade Moves A Smoke Screen

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson On Tourism

Media Statement - 11 January 2000

The ACT Government's latest moves to spend more taxpayers' money is nothing more than a government funded smokescreen to mark the Carnell Government's disastrous handling of Floriade, Labor Shadow Tourism Minister Wayne Berry said today.

Mr Berry's statement follows the announcement by Carnell Government Minister Gary Humphries that the Government will spend $85,000 on a feasibility study for a permanent site for Floriade.

"Clearly the Government is trying to blame the siting of Floriade at Commonwealth Park for the series of debacles which have brought Floriade to its knees - nothing could be further from the truth," Mr Berry said.

"Floriade has been undermined by the Carnell Government over the last two years with the surprise introduction of an entrance fee, the installation of fences and the cancellation of popular evening sessions. This has led to uncertainty in the ACT community and the Tourism industry added to last year by the Chief Minister's refusal to guarantee the future of Floriade.

"Floriade is our major Government sponsored festival, it contributes around $19 million per annum to our economy - that's $190 million over the last ten years. We cannot afford to undermine it," Mr Berry said.

"Constant tinkering with Floriade has seen attendances fall. More mismanagement by the Government could aggravate that problem. The Government claims it wants a central site with all the 'qualities of the current site' - how about Commonwealth Park?

"Today's announcement is a feeble attempt to divert attention from the fact that recent problems with Floriade arose because of Carnell Government mismanagement. The Government should get right behind Floriade, guarantee its future and instil confidence in the Canberra community and the Tourism industry. The fault doesn't lie with Commonwealth Park," Mr Berry concluded.