National Cultural Policy Launch

The New Year will bring a new era for Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector.

The Albanese Labor Government will launch its new National Cultural Policy in January – bringing drive, direction and vision back to Australia’s arts industry.

After a decade of neglect and funding cuts under the Liberals, the Labor Government is determined to revive this vital and vibrant industry for artists and audiences alike.

The Government has spent the last six months consulting with creators and arts workers all over the country about the industry’s future.

We’ve held town hall meetings in every state and territory – in the cities and in the regions – and assembled expert panels to work through the 1200-plus written submissions we received.

The National Cultural Policy launch will be held on January 30 in Melbourne, with further details to be announced.

Future funding for Australia’s collecting institutions is being assessed as part of the budget process. We are acutely aware that these institutions have suffered from the decade-long culture war waged by the previous Liberal/National government.

The new cultural policy will be built around five pillars:

• First Nations first: recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the centre of our arts and culture.
• A place for every story: reflecting the diversity of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as the creators of culture.
• The centrality of the artist: supporting the artist as worker and celebrating their role as the creators of culture.
• Strong institutions: providing support across the spectrum of institutions – funded, philanthropic and commercial - which sustain our arts and culture.
• Reaching the audience: ensuring our stories reach the people at home and abroad.

The arts, entertainment and cultural sector is important to who we are as Australians and plans a vital role in the economy.

Labor has a proud history of support for the arts. Both the Keating and Gillard Governments developed cultural policies – which were then torn up by subsequent Liberal and National governments and replaced by nothing.

As a result, Australia’s arts and cultural sector has just endured a decade of policy drift and neglect that left it vulnerable to constant Coalition cuts.

There is a lot of work to do to repair the damage. But a National Cultural Policy is the foundation for a better future for Australian artists.