‘Stop playing games’ – row over art gallery intensifies

The Northern Territory Government is at loggerheads with the Labor party to come clean on their commitment to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery of Australia.

This Territory government has said repeated calls to support the gallery in its current form, rescoped to make it affordable and achievable while driving jobs, tourism, and economic growth for Alice Springs have not been listened to.

Minister for Infrastructure Bill Yan said the NT Government could no longer wait.

Cultural landmark

“This saga has been dragging on for nine years and we’ve replaced progress with politics as the Federal Member for Lingiari, Marion Scrymgour, continues to play games with what is a cultural landmark that will celebrate Indigenous art and culture,” he said.

“Her latest idea is moving the gallery halfway between Alice Springs and the airport at the Desert Knowledge Precinct which makes no sense and is based on ideology over investment.”

Minister for Infrastructure, Bill Yan.

“I wrote a letter to the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Catherine King directly asking her if Labor actually supports the resubmitted designs of the gallery and the positive economic impact it will have in the community and to let me know by close of business today.

$160 million in investment lost

“I’ve had enough and the people of Alice Springs have had enough and we want the truth if NT and Federal Labor are serious about this project because the Territory Government can not bankroll it alone.

“A decision not to approve the design is another kick in the guts for the local economy with $160 million in investment lost, and another lost opportunity to revitalise the economy of the Alice Springs CBD.”