Tony Burke is reappointed as minister for the arts.
As prime minister Anthony Albanese shuffles the decks, Burke, the creative industries’ point person at a federal government level, keeps his arts portfolio, while Susan Templeman returns as special envoy for the arts.
Continuity is welcome for a film industry that has found both a willing ally, and someone willing to roll up the sleeves, in Burke.
When US president Donald Trump proposed 100% tariffs on films “produced in foreign lands,” Burke promised to step up in support of local content producers.
“I’ve spoken to the CEO of Screen Australia and we’re monitoring this closely,” Burke said in a statement, issued last week. “Nobody should be under any doubt that we will be standing up unequivocally for the rights of the Australian screen industry.”
The arts minister brings “significant experience” in the portfolio “combined with a deep passion for Australian culture and creativity,” comments Eric Lassen, CEO of Live Performance Australia.
Burke led the way on the development of the National Cultural Policy, Revive, and “we look forward to working with the Minister on the future evolution of the policy,” adds Lassen.
“This includes the opportunity to further build and strengthen the capabilities and potential of our arts and cultural organisations to contribute to our economic, social and cultural vibrancy including through measures such as live performance production incentives.”
Lassen and the LPA also welcome the continuing appointment of Templeman.
“The Albanese Government’s return represents a tremendous opportunity to build on the strong foundations put in place by the National Cultural Policy and deliver great outcomes for our artists, companies and organisations, and audiences,” Lassen adds.
Business remains tough out there, he adds. Although audiences have returned to live arts and entertainment since the pandemic, “we’re operating in a very challenging business environment with significantly higher costs for production and touring; skills shortages; shifts in audience behaviours; and, cost of living pressures really squeezing discretionary spending by consumers,” Lassen continues.
Burke is a busy man. When the new frontbench was unveiled today, he was handed expanded powers, taking on the federal police and the domestic spy agency, as minister for home affairs, immigration and citizenship, cyber security.
Ahead of a swearing in ceremony at Parliament House, the PM’s frontline team remains in place, including defence minister Richard Marles, treasurer Jim Chalmers, finance minister Katy Gallagher, foreign affairs minister Penny Wong and trade minister Don Farrell.
Other ministers keeping their portfolios include Malarndirri McCarthy (Indigenous Australians), Mark Butler (health), Chris Bowen (energy), Jason Clare (education) and Clare O’Neil (housing).
Tanya Plibersek, however, is moved from her environment portfolio to social services.