A massive exposure for Tasmania, in return for the $4 million or so that taxpayers invest annually.

Similarly, the Supercar V8s event does wonders for Tasmanian tourism and hospitality, in return for a mere $6 million in annual funding and a $2 million track and facilities upgrade.

The Aurora and Blundstone Arena stadiums have cost taxpayers more than $50 million in capital outlays over the years, but in return we have two first-rate venues to stage elite international cricket and AFL games.

Another 'team' secures about $8 million in annual government funding, including $2 million from the Tasmanian government. This team is of world-class standard, with its home built from public and private funds in the late 1990s, totalling $16 million.

Public support for the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra is dwarfed by public funding for our sporting prowess, worth more than $80 million in recurrent and capital funding, and yet the TSO is our ready-made 'team' on the international stage.

The orchestra has toured north and south America, China, Israel, South Korea, Indonesia and Japan.

This is not to devalue our worthwhile investments at Symmons Plains and the two stadiums. Rather, it is a humble reminder to our governments and the community that the cultural end of our public investment dollars deserves the same attention we pay to sport, because the TSO is a world-class gig.

The $8 million a year it currently receives is probably about right, but to be sure, more funding to buy better talent, better equipment and more accolades will be just as much a worthwhile investment, as the lures we used to sponsor Hawthorn, North Melbourne and the Supercar V8s.