CANBERRA, ACT (CelebrityAccess) — The cancellation of next year's Australia Day Live concert in Canberra has led some lawmakers to question if the territory can continue to fund the Australian of the Year Awards which the concert is connected to.
The free concert, organized by the National Australia Day, has drawn thousands of Canberrans to the lawns of Parliament House each year since it began in 2004. The concert serves to cap the formal announcements of the Australian of the Year Awards nominees.
According to the Canberra Times, the decision by the National Australia Day council to cancel the free concert for next year came after inclement weather caused issues for the concert this year. The council says it is still "looking at how the public could continue to be part of the celebrations".
New council chief executive officer Chris Kirby pointed to the potentially dangerous storm at this year's concert, saying "weather and safety" played a major part in planning the event.
However, the decision to pull the plug on the show has angered ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr, who is now threatening to withdraw funding for the council.
"To cancel the national Australia Day concert attended by tens of thousands of Australians because it rained last year is very disappointing," Mr Barr said.
