The Morrison Government will boost its support for Australia’s key National Collecting Institutions with an additional $79.9 million in the 2021-22 Budget to be delivered next week.

This includes $11.3 million over four years for the Museum of Australian Democracy at the Old Parliament House.

Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said supporting our National Collecting Institutions is critical and this funding boost will make sure that we can continue to preserve Australia’s cultural heritage.

“We recognise the challenges the pandemic has created for our National Collecting Institutions. That’s why we are delivering this significant funding package to help rebuild the economy, secure jobs and support communities as we continue our resurgence from COVID-19,” Minister Fletcher said.

The institutions receiving additional funding include:

• $7.4 million for the Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM)
• $7.1 million for the Bundanon Trust
• $11.3 million for the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House
• $2.0 million for the National Film and Sound Archive
• $34.6 million for the National Gallery of Australia (NGA)
• $9.9 million for the National Library of Australia (NLA)
• $6.0 million for the National Museum of Australia
• $1.6 million for the National Portrait Gallery of Australia

As part of this funding, $32.4 million will go directly towards the delivery of public services and programs, with a further $47.5 million allocated to five institutions for a variety of capital works to continue to preserve and enjoy Australia’s cultural heritage.

Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Hon Ben Morton MP, said the funding for the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House would contribute to preserving a culturally significant building in Australian history, ensuring current and future generations of Australians can be inspired and engaged in contributing to our democracy.

“This funding demonstrates the Government is committed to preserving culturally significant buildings and ensuring our national institutions continue to tell our national story,” Assistant Minister Morton said.

Funding includes safety improvements to public thoroughfares and replacement of fire safety systems at the ANMM; restoration of the Bundanon Homestead and repairs to the Boyd Education Centre; the further completion of a backlog of capital works to replace end-of-life capital assets at the NGA; refurbishment of the House of Representatives Chamber at OPH; and support for the replacement of the Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning system at the NLA.

This additional funding builds on the Government’s annual investment in the National Collecting Institutions of more than $250 million in 2020-21.

Media contact: Imre Salusinszky | 0432 535 737 | [email protected]