Funding for cultural centre is gone and Aboriginal elder wants answers

THE Musgrave Park Cultural Centre has not been delivered, almost two decades after it was originally promised and funded.

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A  CULTURAL arts centre for Musgrave Park has not been delivered, almost two decades after it was originally promised.

The Labor State Government allocated $5 million for the Musgrave Park Cultural Centre in 1999, but the project was scrapped in 2012 by the LNP Newman Government.

The South Brisbane indigenous community is now calling on the State Government to repledge the funding to stop talented young artists moving interstate.

Aboriginal elder Sam Watson said it was incomprehensible that Brisbane was the only capital city in Australia that did not have a dedicated cultural centre.

A spokesman for the Queensland Government said the former LNP government “unfortunately” cut the funding.

“The Queensland Government ... will continue discussions around appropriate recognition of our indigenous culture,” the spokesman said.

Full time Aboriginal artist Laurie Nilsen said there was no recognition for indigenous art in Brisbane.

“Unless we’re connected to private galleries we don’t get the opportunity to show our work,” Mr Nilsen said.

“Look at the size of Brisbane and the tourists that come here, I just think it’s outrageous that the government haven’t supported something like this.”

Mr Nilsen said he knew a lot of Brisbane artists who had moved to another capital city. Some were no longer working as artists.

Others, who moved to Brisbane in the hope of showcasing their work, had left, Mr Nilsen said.

Designs were previously drawn up by South Brisbane’s Richard Kirk Architect and a development application lodged to Brisbane City Council.