APPOINTMENT AS ARTS MINISTER

I am honoured Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has appointed me to the role of Minister for the Arts – a role I’ve held before and am deeply passionate about.

The nine-year political attack on the arts and entertainment sector is now over. The neglect, the contempt and the sabotage of the previous government has ended.

I am determined to deliver a better future for Australia’s creative sector.

These are important jobs that deliver the essentials of Australian culture.

This is a sector that has been hit hard by COVID-19 and rebuilding will take time.

I don’t intend to waste a moment.

As I announced during the election campaign, the first step is developing a comprehensive cultural policy to bring drive, direction and vision back to the sector.

In the coming months I will embark on a thorough, nationwide consultation in each State and Territory to inform this cultural policy. It is important for us to get this right - but speed is of the essence.

Australia’s arts and entertainment sector has a government that cares about it. A government that doesn’t see the arts as an optional extra but as fundamental to our society and national identity.

I want more Australians turning our pages, watching our screen content, visiting our galleries, buying tickets for live performances and cranking up the volume on our music.

Let’s get to work.

WEDNESDAY, 1 JUNE, 2022