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Canberra Today 17°/20° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

??Minister rejects Greens’ Kingston proposal

Arts Minister Joy Burch
ACT Arts Minister Joy Burch has responded angrily to an announced proposal by ACT Greens MLA Caroline le Couteur of a funding boost of $2m to a total of $5.75m to ensure the Kingston Arts Precinct provides both a new home for Megalo and a multi-use Fitters’ Workshop.

Ms Burch said it was “hypocrisy from the Greens” to try to force their proposal on Megalo without adequately consulting them while at the same time describing it as a “win-win” for Megalo.

“I am disappointed that even after Megalo informed the Greens that they did not support the Greens’ plan, they proceeded to release it today regardless,” Ms Burch said.

“The ACT Greens have again insulted Megalo Print Studio by announcing a policy that the respected arts organisation strongly opposes,” she added. “The Greens have rushed out with an announcement that has upset the people whose livelihoods it will affect, rather than working with Megalo on a plan that was truly a win-win.”

Ms Burch said the ACT Government stood by its long-standing commitment to refurbish the Fitters’ Workshop to accommodate Megalo, announced in the 2011-12 Budget funded. She said that if the Government developed policies in this way, “the Greens would be outraged.”

The Minister also rejected the Greens’ proposal for more consultation on a Kingston Master Plan, saying that after consultation, a master plan for the precinct would soon be announced.

“It is time the Greens stopped using a respected community arts organisation as a political football and allowed Megalo to get on with what they do best – producing quality artworks,” the Minister concluded.

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Helen Musa

Helen Musa

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