Anne Webster (Mallee, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

On behalf of the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, I present the committee's report, incorporating a dissenting report, entitled Sculpting a national cultural plan: igniting a post-COVID economy for the arts, together with the minutes of proceedings.

Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).

by leave—On behalf of the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, it gives me great pleasure to present the committee's report on the inquiry into Australia's cultural industries and institutions. Australia is home to a vibrant and diverse landscape of creative and cultural industries and institutions, which form a vital part of our culture, identity and economy. Australia's cultural industries were significantly impacted by recent events, including the bushfires of 2019 and 2020 as well as COVID-19, which resulted in the closure of public venues, performance spaces, community hubs and gatherings. Many artists had to change methods of production and delivery during this time to continue to engage with their audiences.

The committee recognises the adaptiveness and innovation shown by the industry in dealing with these changes. The committee also recognises the steps the government has taken to support the industry during this time, but considers that there are additional opportunities to support the industry—especially in a post-COVID economy. The committee considered that to support the recovery of the industry, maximise employment and contribute to economic growth, a national cultural plan should be developed to assess the medium- and long-term needs of the sector. A cohesive and multilevel approach would allow Australia's vast and diverse arts industry to showcase Australia's cultural value both to domestic and international audiences.

The vastness of Australia's arts industry can create challenges to those starting their career in this field, as well as to those who are already established within the industry. The committee has therefore recommended the establishment of an 'arts starter portal', which would contain information on taxation, intellectual property laws, access to mentoring and other supports available to the industry.

Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists contribute uniquely to the art and culture of this country, and this contribution warrants deeper consideration and greater prominence in our arts landscape. The committee recommends that a national centre of Indigenous culture and arts be established to support Indigenous artists. A codesign process with Indigenous arts communities and arts bodies will ensure that a culturally appropriate site is identified, that a national network of art is established. This will provide improvement in Indigenous representation and participation across all areas.

The arts comprise a key learning area in Australia's schools, and all levels of government have a role in supporting these programs. Given the significant benefits of these programs, identified during the inquiry, the committee considered that the arts should be combined with science, technology, engineering and mathematics to foster the creativity and innovation in Australia's youth which the future job market will seek out.

The committee made several additional recommendations, including: a review of the Public Lending Right and the Educational Lending Right programs; the establishment of legislation to require a percentage of local revenue to be spent on the Australian television and movie industry; the establishment of a local artistic champions program to provide financial support to Australia's emerging artists; and, finally, the establishment of a music access assistance program to increase participation in musical endeavours.

On behalf of the committee, I extend my sincere thanks to those who participated in the inquiry by completing the survey, preparing submissions and appearing at public hearings, and who graciously gave their time to share their experiences with the committee during this challenging time for Australia's arts industry. I also want to acknowledge, firstly, the leadership of the previous chair, Dr David Gillespie, the member for Lyne, who facilitated the public inquiry, and also the tremendous work of the secretariat in working on behalf of the committee. I commend this report to the House.

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