The ABC News Online is reporting that the office of newly appointed Multicultural Affairs Minister Joy Burch has dramatically slashed the funding for the “Carnival In The City” putting the continuation of the event (as part of the National Multicultural Festival) in jeopardy.
The ABC News article has been reproduced below:
ACT carnival under threat
The organisers of Canberra’s popular Carnival in the City program are threatening to walk away from the event because of a shock funding cut.
The event which celebrates Latin American music and culture during the ACT’s Multicultural festival in February has had it’s $20,000 budget for artist fees slashed to $5,000 by the A.C.T Government.
The people behind the event were only told of the decision on Wednesday.
Carnival producer Frank Madrid says the event in three months is now in doubt because there is no money to pay for international artists.
“There is a fantastic flamenco singer coming from Madrid that has been pre-booked for 2010 and of course their presence in Canberra is now no longer possible with a reduction in the fees,” he said.
Mr Madrid says he is not interested in presenting a half-hearted production.
“I will be happy to walk away from the event and not produce anything because I’m afraid that I will not be able to deliver a high quality event that will make me and the Latin American community proud.”
Note: copyright of the material in the clipping resides with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Usage permitted in accordance with the Australian Copyright Act 1968, Section 42: Fair dealing for purpose of reporting news. Source: ABC News Online – 23 November 2009