Wed, 14th May 2008
Minster Garrett fails the Arts
The Hon Dr Sharman Stone MP
Shadow Minister for Environment, Heritage, the Arts and Indigenous Affairs
Shadow Minister for the Arts, Dr Sharman Stone, said the Arts sector will be reeling with disappointment when they see how the Rudd Labor Government has walked away from supporting the Arts, especially given the $21.7 billion surplus.
“Having already slashed $40 million from the Arts budget since coming into government, including the extra 2 per cent efficiency dividend, there was an expectation that this budget would in some way make amends for the slashing and burning of the first six months of the Rudd Labor Government.
“As well, those attending the 2020 summit were lead to believe that Minister Garrett was serious about the needs to continue the funding initiatives of the Howard Government, in particular music education in schools, these participants will now wonder why they bothered.
“The Rudd Labor Government has not seen fit to continue the great work of the Howard Government in pursuing the establishment of compulsory choral and orchestral music in all schools from primary to mid-secondary level. So much for an education revolution.
“Tonight the Rudd Labor Government’s first budget simply overlooked the Arts.
‘There has been some $200 million for the Australian Film Industry over four years to establish the new Screen Australia authority and for the National Film and Sound Archive. But it would seem this funding is only to build the new administrations and to establish the new boards.
“The hopes that the Regional Arts Fund would be increased or at least retained, have been dashed. Regional Arts Australia requested $24 million from the Rudd Labor Government in their pre-budget submission. They have received barely half of that – and $4 million less than that allocated by the Coalition in the last funding round.
“With the huge increases in transport and travelling costs this simply means that regional Australia will not be able to participate fully in the cultural life of Australia, in the way that was delivered by the Howard Government.
“As well, the training institutions will be wondering how they will be able to support up and coming artists with no additional funding on the table. And the chance for the Rudd Labor Government to create a future for the Sydney Opera House has also been passed-by, with no funding for an inquiry into how best to deal with the internal inadequacies and occupational health and safety issues of Australia’s greatest cultural icon.
“The Arts community will be saddened and disappointed with this Budget. And Australians will all be the poorer for it.