❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Perth Theatre Trust's response to concerns raised by the Chinese Consul regarding the display of a Taiwanese flag during a performance. The government clarifies the Trust's actions and asserts that foreign governments do not dictate artistic content.
AnsweredQoN 64Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH THEATRE TRUST —
TAIWANESE FLAG
64. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I
refer the minister to reports on 4 February 2020 that the Perth Theatre Trust
had apologised to China over displaying a Taiwanese flag.
(1) Can the
government confirm that the Chinese Consul or her staff complained about the
display of a Taiwanese flag during a performance?
(2) When did the
government become aware of the decision of the Perth Theatre Trust to apologise
to China?
(3) Does the government stand by the
Perth Theatre Trust's decision to apologise to China?
(4) What right does China, a foreign government, have
to dictate the content of arts performances in Australia?
TAIWANESE FLAG
64. Hon ROBIN SCOTT to the Leader of the House representing the
Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I
refer the minister to reports on 4 February 2020 that the Perth Theatre Trust
had apologised to China over displaying a Taiwanese flag.
(1) Can the
government confirm that the Chinese Consul or her staff complained about the
display of a Taiwanese flag during a performance?
(2) When did the
government become aware of the decision of the Perth Theatre Trust to apologise
to China?
(3) Does the government stand by the
Perth Theatre Trust's decision to apologise to China?
(4) What right does China, a foreign government, have
to dictate the content of arts performances in Australia?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for
some notice of the question.
(1) The Chinese
Consul requested a meeting with the Perth Theatre Trust to discuss the
sensitivities around a Taiwanese flag being displayed and the national anthem
being played prior to a performance.
(2)–(3) The Perth Theatre Trust did not apologise to
China; rather, it acknowledged the concern of the Chinese Consul who had
attended the performance, and an explanation was provided that the Perth
Theatre Trust was not aware the proposed formalities were taking place on
stage.
(4) Foreign governments do not
dictate the content of arts performances in Perth Theatre Trust venues.
some notice of the question.
(1) The Chinese
Consul requested a meeting with the Perth Theatre Trust to discuss the
sensitivities around a Taiwanese flag being displayed and the national anthem
being played prior to a performance.
(2)–(3) The Perth Theatre Trust did not apologise to
China; rather, it acknowledged the concern of the Chinese Consul who had
attended the performance, and an explanation was provided that the Perth
Theatre Trust was not aware the proposed formalities were taking place on
stage.
(4) Foreign governments do not
dictate the content of arts performances in Perth Theatre Trust venues.
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