Funding failure sees NT art gallery project closed
The Northern Territory Government says it has been left with no choice but to shut down the Alice Springs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia project after failing to secure a commitment from the Federal government.
The move comes after attempts to engage the government to endorse the rescoped gallery in the Alice Springs CBD before the contractual deadline in November have failed.
An angry NT Minister for Logistics and infrastructure, Bill Yan, said the saga had to end.
Deeply disappointed at outcome
“For nearly ten years Labor strung the people of Central Australia and now us along with promises to see this project delivered and at every opportunity have continued to deny this $149 million investment,” he said.
“I won’t have NT taxpayers burdened with yet another project blowout and potentially significant penalties if it continues to be delayed.”
“If Labor were serious about the gallery they would have approved it.”
Minister Yan said the Territory Government did everything asked of it to turn the gallery into reality.
“We delivered a scaled and sensible plan that honours the gallery’s vision and benefits the wider community without breaking our finances,” he said.
“We knew there was a clear economic case for this gallery injecting new life into the CBD and helping Alice Springs rebuild its economy. We cut our cloth to fit the budget with the NT committing $69 million and the Commonwealth’s $80 million contribution on the table.”
NT Minister for Logistics and infrastructure Bill Yan.
“That’s after NT Labor’s $1.4 billion black hole in the Territory’s finances and a gallery design that blew out to more than $300 million that we couldn’t afford.”
“The Member for Lingiari responded with her own campaign to move the gallery near the airport while her Federal counterpart wouldn’t commit to the revised plan.”
“I’m deeply disappointed that Federal Labor allowed the Member for Lingiari to intervene in decisions around the project at the last moment.”
“If the Member for Lingiari wants to build the gallery at Desert Knowledge Australia, she can put her money where her mouth is,” he said. “She changed the goal posts for the project and now the ball is in Labor’s court to fund it.”
Alternative options to be considered
“If people are upset about the gallery not going ahead on a site the previous Government acquired, they can ask her why she mounted a campaign to move it.”
“I am writing to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King today and letting her know our decision.”
Minister Yan said alternative funding options will be considered.
“We will now explore other areas to support arts and culture and the broader economy of Central Australia,” he said.
