Rod Kemp (Victoria, Liberal Party, Minister for the Arts and Sport) Share this | Hansard source

No, it is. This is an important area of public debate, but it is one where the people who attempt to play party politics will certainly lose. Senator Crossin, I am very surprised to hear your comments. The fact of the matter is that we were able to provide further support for art centres in this budget. Senator Scullion, I thank you for the support that you gave.

There are a number of other areas that we will obviously have to look at. We will have to look at issues of trade practices. I will be having discussions with the ACCC to see what further issues we can deal with in that particular area. I know that a number of those who are involved in this area are interested in a review to look at the wide range of issues which have been raised and to explore the best way forward. That is a matter that I am thinking about and one which the government will come to a conclusion about after we have completed our consultations.

We take the issue of Indigenous art very seriously. We are delighted that next month is a historic landmark for Aboriginal art. Quai Branley will be opened in Paris and there will be a major pavilion in that area which is devoted to Australian Indigenous art. This is a real landmark for the industry. (Time expired)