THE HON TONY BURKE MP

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT AND WATER

SHADOW MINISTER FOR CITIZENSHIP AND MULTICULTURAL AUSTRALIA

SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS

MEMBER FOR WATSON

THE HON SHAYNE NEUMANN MP

FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BLAIR

Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann is determined to continue Labor’s strong record of investing in local arts and culture.

Mr Neumann brought the Shadow Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, to Ipswich and showed off the North Ipswich Woollen Mills arts precinct with the Mayor Paul Pisasale.

“It is clear the development of regional arts is not a priority for the Liberal Government so I have brought the Shadow Minister for the Arts to Ipswich, Mr Neumann said.

“The Mayor and I are keen to show a future Arts Minister the projects we believe should be priorities for a future Labor Government.

“The Woollen Mills development is one of those projects that would benefit from a partnership between the various levels of Government.”

Mr Neumann secured $3.3 million for arts and cultural projects in Ipswich when Labor was in Government.

“It was Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam who invested in Ipswich and developed the Ipswich Civic Centre in 1975.

“I was proud to follow in his footsteps with funding to upgrade the Ipswich Civic Centre, with the new terrace and shade sails opened in 2011.”

Shadow Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke said Labor has always understood how important arts and culture are to the regions.

“Labor always understood that arts centres and funding can’t be held hostage in the inner suburbs of capital cities,” Mr Burke said.

“People who live in regional areas like Ipswich already have some of the best artists. They deserve the facilities to match.”

The $3.3 million investment during Labor’s time in Government saw a partnership with the Ipswich City Council that resulted in the transformation of the old Baptist Church in Brisbane Street into Studio 188 - an exciting community performance and cultural venue in the Top of Town.

In addition Labor partnered with the Council to fund a feasibility study for an Ipswich Performing Arts Centre (IPAC).

“I believe it is important to show the Shadow Minister for the Arts how the Federal Government can work with local communities in creative and effective ways,” Mr Neumann said.

“Studio 188 is a great example of a wonderful partnership between the former Labor Government and the Ipswich City Council.”