LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA
MEDIA RELEASE
27th May 2020

National Aboriginal Art Gallery will go ahead at Alice Springs’ Desert Park under Country Liberal Government
A Country Liberal Party Government will build the long awaited National Aboriginal Art Gallery (NAAG) at Alice Springs Desert Park, not at ANZAC Oval. The project will be worth hundreds of millions of dollars to the economy and create hundreds of jobs. The Initial Steering Scoping Committee (Steering Committee) preferred Alice Springs Desert Park because:
  1. It is “better for the art” and its environs better reflect the nature of the art being “on country” as opposed to the Alice Springs CBD.
  2. “The location of the NAAG in proximity to the Alice Springs Desert Park in a magnificent natural setting will invite a more holistic understanding of the confluence of environmental, cultural and scientific knowledges expressed in contemporary artistic practice by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and distinguish it from any other public museum in Australia.”
  3. “The NAAG will be a tourism hub, a key connector and, along with the Alice Springs Desert Park, offer a unique introductory experience for travellers from the Mparntwe CBD to Tjoritja, the West MacDonnell National Park.”

“Centralians want certainty around the NAAG. By committing to develop the NAAG at Alice Springs Desert Park, we are ensuring that this iconic project be delivered as part of our commitment to art and culture, tourism and infrastructure development. $50 million has already been committed to this project, certainty on location means a CLP Government can finally start design work in 2020,” CLP Opposition Leader Lia Finocchiaro said today.

“The whole process has been destroyed and our town divided by the heavy hand antics of the Gunner Government failing to listen or take into consideration the people of Alice Springs. There was an expert panel put in place and yet again the Chief Minister and his government have chosen to ignore it despite this costing taxpayers’ money.

The Alice Springs Desert Park is also the home of Parrtjima, a major tourist attraction here in Alice Springs. It makes sense to have the NAAG there,” CLP candidate for Araluen, Damien Ryan said.

“The Gunner Government has failed to listen to the experts by choosing ANZAC Oval as the site. The Steering Committee selected the Alice Springs Desert Park as the prime place for this project to sit. Quite frankly this project should already be underway by now,” CLP candidate for Braitling, Joshua Burgoyne said.

“We need the NAAG. Art is an integral part of Aboriginal culture and for many Aboriginal Australians it is an opportunity to showcase their talent and cultural heritage. I have been a long-time supporter of Aboriginal artists in Central Australia,” CLP candidate for Namatjira, Bill Yan said

​ENDS

"Only together can we build a better Territory for you and your family.”

- LIA FINOCCHIARO MLA, Leader of the Country Liberal Party and member for Spillett