2023-01-30
The Greens have welcomed the Albanese Government’s National Cultural Policy as an important opportunity to end the decade-long government neglect of our creative industries while declaring they will move for a Senate Inquiry to fully examine it.
Greens Spokesperson for the Arts, and Chair of the Senate’s Environment and Communications References Committee, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
“This is an important day for the arts and cultural industries in Australia. It marks a significant turning point following a decade of neglect and political attacks under the Liberal-National Government and the utter devastation caused by Covid lockdowns and restrictions.
“At this point, any policy that puts the focus on and funding into the arts, culture and entertainment industry is welcome, but this is an opportunity to get it right that shouldn’t be missed.
“With more funding decisions set to come in the May Budget, I will seek to refer the National Cultural Policy to a Senate Inquiry when the Parliament resumes next week. This will give all stakeholders an opportunity to comment on the elements of the policy and the Senate Committee an opportunity to make recommendations. I know Minister Burke wants to get this right too.
“One of the first pieces of legislation out of this policy will be local content quotas on streaming giants like Netflix, Disney, Amazon and Stan. The quotas should be fixed at 20 per cent of earnings, with a sub-quota of 20 per cent for children’s television. It is vital that all Australians see themselves and their communities reflected on their screens, but it is especially so for children. I will work with the government to ensure that we get this important reform right.
“Our national cultural institutions have suffered almost a decade of neglect under previous Coalition governments. The National Cultural Policy is a welcome first step, but it must be followed up with funding in this year’s budget. Funding for the National Library’s online archive, the Trove, will run out in July, unless the Albanese Government delivers a sustainable funding plan.
“I look forward to working with Minister Burke and my Senate colleagues to get this once in a generation opportunity right, for the sake of Australia’s arts, culture and social fabric now and long into the future.”