MEDIA RELEASE - LABOR’S SILENCE OVER ITS NATIONAL CULTURAL POLICY SPEAKS VOLUMES

PAUL FLETCHER MP

Shadow Minister for Science and the Arts

Shadow Minister for Government Services and the Digital Economy

Manager of Opposition Business in the House

MEDIA RELEASE

1 March 2024

LABOR’S SILENCE OVER ITS NATIONAL CULTURAL POLICY SPEAKS VOLUMES

The Albanese Labor Government has failed to deliver its promised twelve-month review of its much-hyped National Cultural Policy, which was due on 1 March 2024.

“Labor massively hyped the National Cultural Policy, claiming it would ‘transform’ the arts,” Mr Fletcher said.

“But twelve months in, the reality falls a long way short which is doubtless why the government is delaying the promised review.”

The Coalition delivered record new arts funding commitments during the 2019-2022 term totalling $1.153 billion, including:

• $400 million for the Location Incentive.
• $220 million for RISE.
• $187.1 million for our National Collecting Institutions (in October 2020, May 2021 and December 2021).
• $90 million for Showstarter Loans.

“Labor will have to do a lot better than the National Cultural Policy to deliver similar levels of funding,” Mr Fletcher said.

Media contact: William Sparling | 0416 628 276 | [email protected]