By ERWIN CHLANDA
Chief Minister Michael Gunnner was long in boast and short in fact when he answered questions today from Araluen Independent MP Robyn Lambley about the Aboriginal Art Gallery.
He told Parliament: “We have been consistent in the approach we have taken… the council, on the other hand, has been an example of dysfunction.
“He voted five to four to advance conversations about the development of the National Gallery of Aboriginal Art on the Anzac Oval site.
“The question is to what extent the council wishes to be involved in the project. The board does not know how to answer this question.
“We came up with the idea of going to one owner because the city council cannot determine what it wants. He votes either five to four or four to five on a question.
In fact, on October 15, during its most recent discussion of gallery issues, council voted unanimously against the “transition” of ownership of the oval to government.
Mr Gunner repeated a worn-out response: “A total of 88% of the Alice Springs community consulted said they wanted the project to move forward and either support the Anzac Hill neighborhood or be neutral. on the site.”
“And I just want us to continue,” Arts Minister Lauren Moss recently added, when asked by the Alice Springs News Online.
She said: “It is utter nonsense to say that there is ‘huge public opposition’ to this site.
Mr Gunner and Ms Moss forget that 58% of the more than 2,000 people voting in a council referendum rejected the sale of Anzac Oval to the government, while the government’s argument is inconclusive on the numbers.
Their 88% argument has one major flaw: it puts two sets of opinions in one pot, those who are in favor of the Anzac district and those who don’t care where the gallery is built.
However, their respective percentages are not given.
These are people who don’t give a damn about what is built and where as long as significant public funds go to the local construction industry.
Ms Lambley also asked Mr Gunner: “Will you rule out the forced acquisition of Anzac Oval from Alice Springs City Council?”
Mr Gunner did not give a direct response but said, “We have written to Alice Springs City Council to say that we are open to the idea of moving to civilian ownership.
“I said there are a number of things we still need to discuss with Alice Springs City Council.
“It is essential that they are partners in the project, whether it is a single owner for the site or not, as there are a series of issues that still need to be resolved with the council in and around the site. of the art gallery, if they are not specific to the site itself.
PHOTO: The northern half of the Anzac oval.
UPDATE October 25, 6:10 a.m.
One reader brought the following to our attention on the government consultation website: – Information booths in the Todd Mall and at local events.
“Our results show that 63% of the Alice Springs community consulted supported the project and preferred site. 25% supported the neutral project and site, and 12% did not support the site or did not support the project.
Fault: The content is protected !!
