Free museum entry

Children at the Powerhouse. Source: Timeout.

James Robertson, ‘Free museum entry: entry fee for children under 16 waived for Powerhouse and Australian museums’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 29 January 2015

A re-elected Baird government would waive entry fees for children at two of the state’s biggest museums.

In an election promise to be announced on Friday, the Premier, Mike Baird, says that children younger than 16 could visit the Powerhouse and Australian museums free of charge.

“Families […] will save between $4 and $8 per child, per visit,” the Premier said.

“This commitment brings these two museums in line with other leading arts and cultural institutions across NSW and the world.”

Deputy Premier and Arts Minister Troy Grant said fees for students on school excursions would also be waived.

“By removing the general admission fee for children under 16, more people will be able to access and experience the arts, regardless of where they live,” Mr Grant said.

Exhibitions and special events would still attract a fee.

The Powerhouse Museum, which displays collections related to science and technology, received about 380,000 visitors to its Ultimo premises in 2012/13. This was 17.6 per cent below its 10-year average.