Cultural Ministers meeting 2 October

Meeting of Cultural Ministers – an initative of the Australian, state and territory governments, Communique: Meeting of Cultural ministers, 2 October 2015

A meeting of Arts and Cultural Ministers was held in Mildura today, Friday 2 October 2015.

Holden-Prototype — Holden Prototype car No.1, made in 1946. NMA. Source: Lannon Harley.

Attendees

Australian Government: Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield, Minister for the Arts
Australian Capital Territory: represented by officials Ms Sam Tyler, Acting Director, artsACT
New South Wales: Mr Andrew Gee MP, Parliamentary Secretary for the Deputy Premier
Northern Territory: The Hon Gary Higgins MLA, Minister for Arts and Museums
Queensland: The Hon Stirling Hinchliffe MP, Assistant Minister of State Assisting the Premier
South Australia: The Hon Jack Snelling MP, Minister for the Arts
Tasmania: The Hon Dr Vanessa Goodwin MLC, Minister for the Arts
Victoria: The Hon Martin Foley MP, Minister for Creative Industries
Western Australia: The Hon John Day MLA, Minister for Culture and the Arts

Observers

Mr Tony Grybowski, Chief Executive Officer, Australia Council
Cr Bill McArthur, Vice President, Australian Local Government Association

Invited guests

Dr Helen Nugent AO, Chairman, National Opera Review Panel
Mr Shane Simpson AM, Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986 Review
Mr Tim Beresford, Executive Director, Austrade
Mr Rupert Myer AO, Chair, Australia Council
Ms Fiona Menzies, CEO, Creative Partnerships Australia

Apologies

Ms Joy Burch MLA, Minister for the Arts, Australian Capital Territory
The Hon Troy Grant MP, Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts, New South Wales
The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier and Minister for the Arts, Queensland
The Hon Maggie Barry, Minister for Arts Culture and Heritage, Government of New Zealand

Meeting summary

At this meeting Ministers:

noted the progress of the National Opera Review, chaired by Dr Helen Nugent AO and discussed challenges identified in the Discussion Paper, released for public consultation on 25 September 2015;
welcomed the delivery by Mr Shane Simpson AM of the report of his review of the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986;
acknowledged the significant contribution of the arts and culture sector to Australian tourism and agreed to harness opportunities for arts and tourism portfolios to work together towards mutually beneficial policy objectives recognising and highlighting the role and value of the arts, artists and arts organisations to Australia’s tourism economy;
noted the update from the Australia Council and Creative Partnerships Australia, noted the implications of the proposed National Program for Excellence in the Arts for each jurisdiction, expressing particular concern regarding support for small to medium arts organisations, and welcomed the Australian Government Minister’s commitment to consider feedback closely and make a decision which provides certainty for the sector in coming weeks;
acknowledged the importance of private sector support to underpin a vibrant arts sector. Ministers agreed to explore further opportunities to increase private giving and philanthropy and acknowledged the importance of encouraging a culture of giving to support independent artists and arts organisations working across Australia;
noted all jurisdictions’ support for the arts in regional Australia and commitment to collaboration on shared regional arts priorities;
noted the success of the Australian Government’s Indigenous Repatriation Program in negotiating with institutions and private collectors, both in Australia and overseas, for the return of Indigenous ancestral remains and secret sacred objects to their communities of origin;
expressed commitment to enhance national collaboration to further strengthen support for the Australian screen industry;
noted the efforts of jurisdictions under the National Arts and Disability Strategy to ensure Australia’s artistic landscape reflects and is inclusive of the lived experiences of our diverse community;
welcomed establishment of new arrangements for the collection of core cultural data, which will support governments and the arts sector by informing funding decisions and policy development in Australia;
welcomed the coming together of the federal arts and communications portfolios and the opportunities that partnership provides.

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