Clash over Taste funding

HOBART Lord Mayor Sue Hickey and Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin have clashed over whether the State Government should fund the Taste of Tasmania.

The Hobart City Council will ask for more than $250,000 from the State Government for the event.

At a full council meeting on Monday night Alderman Hickey said if the State Government did not come on board, then the council could look at pulling the hundreds of thousands of dollars it provides Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast.

Mr Martin said any funding from the State Government should be subject to a requirement of the council establishing an independent skillsbased board to oversee the Taste, similar to what happens at Festivale, Festival of Voices and Ten Days on the Island.

“Tasmanians are sick and tired of the constant bickering and uncertainty about our largest annual event,” Mr Martin said.

“The city’s investment in supporting events like the Taste and Dark Mofo are critical to the city sustaining its visitor growth.”

Ald Hickey said the Taste already had an advisory group — made up of representatives and nominees from peak bodies such as the Tasmanian Hospitality Association, the Waterfront Business Association, Destination Southern Tasmania and the Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania.

“For Mr Martin to now come out and make these comments suggests he has his own political agenda,” Ald Hickey said. “I am not aware of Mr Martin ever having organised any events of this magnitude himself or being responsible for the quantum of funds re- quired to run the Taste. It is not Mr Martin’s place to be dictating to the council how to run its affairs — that is the responsibility of the aldermen.

“The Council is now focused on delivering this year’s Taste. We have a new festival director, a committed Taste Advisory Group and some exciting new announcements to make.

“I really encourage people to stop knocking the Taste and get on board and enjoy Tas- mania’s premier food and beverage event.”

Mr Martin said he was not the only one who thought a skills-based independent board might better serve the Taste.

“I suggest the only political agenda being played out here is the Lord Mayor heaping pressure on the State Government before a state election, wanting to bail out her event,” he said.

A State Government spokesman said it had already indicated it would consider a proposal from the council.