The tifs between Jon Stanhope and Richard Mulcahy will go down in history as one of the great romances of our time.
In its latest installment Richard Mulcahy put out a media release yesterday. He was concerned at the amount of money being spent on art in the ACT at a time when many people would like to see more money going to police, or hospitals, or keeping schools open. Particularly he raised the matter of “momentary” art.
According to the Chief Minister’s Action Statement for Public Art this could even include artworks with a ‘momentary lifespan’, to be set on fire at festivals.
To this camper “momentary” art sounds a hell of a lot like a performance piece and maybe the folk at the festival would like to foot the bill as no one else will get to enjoy it. So a sensible media release (even if you don’t agree with it).
Mr. Stanhope however went completely off his rocker in a bonkers rant from a man who’s set the gold standard in Australian politics in this area.
““It’s possible Mr Mulcahy has today made Westminster System history by being the only Shadow Minister on the planet ever to advocate a funding cut to his portfolio.
“The Liberal’s Shadow Minister for the Arts has shown he has no commitment to the Arts and that he is not prepared to stand-up and fight for funding.
“He has also shown he is not fit to be a Minister,â€
Unfit to be a Minister for proposing to get his departmental snout out of the trough? It may be unusual but surely not a sacking offence?