❓ Hon Neil Thomson questions the funding of Blue Room Theatre due to an allegedly anti-Semitic statement, asking for funding withdrawal and reallocation. The government acknowledges the issue and is reminding the theatre of its obligations.
AnsweredQoN 325Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
BLUE ROOM THEATRE — STATEMENT OF SOLIDARITY
325. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the anti-Semitic hate
speech published by the Blue Room Theatre organisation in its so called ''statement of solidarity'', which quotes the
anti-Semitic hate chant, ''From the river to the sea'', which is
a call for the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish
people's homeland.
(1) How much funding from the state government
did the Blue Room Theatre receive in 2023–24?
(2) Will the
state government commit to sending a clear signal to all organisations that it
will not tolerate those who foster
anti-Semitic hate and division in our society by withdrawing funding from this
organisation and reallocating those funds to an inclusive arts
organisation?
325. Hon NEIL THOMSON to the parliamentary secretary
representing the Minister for Culture and the Arts:
I refer to the anti-Semitic hate
speech published by the Blue Room Theatre organisation in its so called ''statement of solidarity'', which quotes the
anti-Semitic hate chant, ''From the river to the sea'', which is
a call for the destruction of Israel and the elimination of the Jewish
people's homeland.
(1) How much funding from the state government
did the Blue Room Theatre receive in 2023–24?
(2) Will the
state government commit to sending a clear signal to all organisations that it
will not tolerate those who foster
anti-Semitic hate and division in our society by withdrawing funding from this
organisation and reallocating those funds to an inclusive arts
organisation?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries provided $350 000
in funding to the Performing Arts Centre
Society, or Blue Room Theatre, through the arts organisations investment
program in the financial year 2023–24.
(2) Following the
issuing of a pro-Palestinian statement by the Blue Room Theatre on social media,
DLGSC is reminding recipients of government funding to be mindful of the
policies and guidelines relating to the requirement
to act in a fair and equitable way that underpins the funding agreements. The
state government expects arts and culture organisations and venues that
are publicly funded to promote a safe and inclusive environment for all artists
and audiences.
honourable member for some notice of the question.
(1) The
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries provided $350 000
in funding to the Performing Arts Centre
Society, or Blue Room Theatre, through the arts organisations investment
program in the financial year 2023–24.
(2) Following the
issuing of a pro-Palestinian statement by the Blue Room Theatre on social media,
DLGSC is reminding recipients of government funding to be mindful of the
policies and guidelines relating to the requirement
to act in a fair and equitable way that underpins the funding agreements. The
state government expects arts and culture organisations and venues that
are publicly funded to promote a safe and inclusive environment for all artists
and audiences.
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