Portfolio Media
Labor’s 12 month Report Card fails the Arts
24 November 2008
After only 12 months of a Rudd Labor Government, the Australian arts community is more uncertain than ever, Shadow Arts Minister Steven Ciobo said.
“Despite Labor’s many promises, the vibrant and energetic arts community has been let down by Kevin Rudd and Arts Minister Peter Garrett since their election,” Mr Ciobo said.
“In 12 months, the Rudd Labor Government has slashed funding for arts and axed important programmes, hanging some of our most important cultural institutions out to dry.
“It is unique the Minister has put offside some 750 artists including Geoffrey Rush as a result of his decision to axe the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
“ANAM is internationally recognised for its excellence. It is like shutting down the Australian Institute of Sport and abandoning our upcoming Olympians. These talented young people need somewhere to train. Without it, they’re likely to consider their options overseas.
“The previous Coalition Government increased funding for the arts by 65.8 per cent to a record spend in 2007/08 of $650 million.
“In contrast, Labor has cherry picked funding from important arts programmes including the Regional Arts Fund which has had its funding cut by 29 per cent.
“At the 2020 Summit the arts community was given Peter Garrett and Kevin Rudd’s absolute support and commitment, but after 12 months in government, the shine has worn off and we can now see it was just a media stunt. Mr Garrett has failed to embrace the arts sector.
“Additionally, funding for the Chamber Music Australia cultural diplomacy programme and the Australia on World Stage programme have also been axed by the Rudd Labor Government.
“How are our centres of excellence and training institutions going to support up and coming Australian artists with little or no federal funding"
“Plus, the Rudd Labor Government has slapped efficiency dividends on our collecting institutions, which will see regional touring programmes cut.
“This nation is about encouraging people to be creative and artistic, but the way this Government is going, Labor will stop the music, and force important doors for aspiring Australian artists shut.”