Parramatta. Arts centre axed

The NSW Government has denied funding for an arts centre, in Parramatta, which the former premier, Kristina Keneally, had pledged almost $25 million for the creation of an art gallery and studios on the site of the Old Kings School in the Parramatta CBD. ''The government is assessing all options for the arts precinct and will make a properly considered decision in coming months,'' said Arts Minister, George Souris. Opposition arts spokesman, Nathan Rees, said the arts budget in general was too heavily focused towards the major institutions in the centre of Sydney, and that the axing of the Parramatta project was a ''slap in the face'' to the people in the west.