PM Transcripts

; AU ST A L I(
P R IMI MINISTE
FOR MEDIA THURSDAY, 5 JULY 1979
SOUTH PACIFIC ARTS FESTIVAL
The Prime minister announced today that the Australian Government
would provide $ 200,000 to the South Pacific Commission as
its contribution towards the South Pacific Arts Festival.
The Festival, the third to be staged, will be held in
Port Moresby from 29 June to 12 July 1980.
Previous Festivals were held in Fiji in 1972 and Rotorua,
New Zealand, in 1976.
The purpose of the Festivals is to foster and celebrate the
rich and diverse cultures of the South Pacific region.
Australia recognises the value of such Festivals as one of
the most important cultural initiatives in the region, and has
actively supported and participated in the previous Festivals.
Australia's contribution is intended to assist with both the
costs of staging the Fes-tival and transporting participants,
and to help ensure the success of the occasion. The grant
will be reviewed when the final costs of the Festival are
known to see if there is any additional assistance which
could be provided.
The Prime Minister said it was also an expression of our
continuing and expanding interest and involvement in
the South Pacific region.
Australia will also be contributing by sending performers and
other participants to the 1980 Festival. 000---