Australia's largest outdoor sculpture exhibition, Sculpture by the Sea, is expected to attract about 500,000 visitors.<br /><br />With a budget of around $2m, contributions by private sponsors have been vital to the success of the exhibition in previous years. <br /><br />But with the global economic downturn, money has been drying up and substantial public funds have been added to the mix.<br /><br />While most developed countries are slashing public spending, a more stable economy means Australia has thus far managed to avoid making big cuts.<br /><br />However, a recent report suggests the country's apparent immunity from the financial crisis is no longer guaranteed.<br /><br />Al Jazeera's Andrew Thomas reports from Sydney.
