The Liberal National Party entered the election cycle without an arts policy. Just days before millions of Australians headed to the polls, an update; the Coalition would swing the axe.
Should it take power at the polls on Saturday, May 3rd, the LNP will cut funding for Creative Australia by $33.2 million in the year 2025-26. That’s more than 10% of Creative Australia’s annual core funding of $318 million.
That money would then be redirected to the Melbourne Jewish Arts Quarter, a planned new centre celebrating Jewish arts, culture, food and shopping in Elsternwick in Melbourne, and “supporting broadcasting”, according to the Coalition’s costings, published Thursday.
It’s unclear what those plans for “supporting broadcasting” would look like.
Formerly known as the Australia Council, Creative Australia is the national government’s principal arts investment and advisory body, with the primary purpose to champion and invest in arts and creativity – including music.
Indeed, Music Australia sits under Creative Australia, which started operating on July 1, 2023 with the passage of the Creative Australia Bill.
On the other side of the so-called culture wars, Anthony Albanese’s government has pledged ongoing support for the music sector through Music Australia and the National Cultural Policy, Revive.
“Music Australia has been supported with $69.4 million in funding over four years to not only support and promote the Australian contemporary music industry, but to also increase discoverability, develop markets and grow audiences,” explains Tony Burke, Minister for the Arts, Leader of the House, throwing his clout behind the industry’s Vote Music campaign.
“A re-elected Albanese Labor Government will invest a total of $25 million over the next two years to extend the successful Revive Live program, providing critical support for Australia’s live music venues and festivals.
“The Albanese Labor Government has already delivered $7.8 million in Revive Live funding which supported 112 live music businesses, including 63 music festival-based activities and 49 live music venues.”