Minister Meetings - Department of Communications and the Arts

Senator LUDLAM: Senator Fifield; thank you. Who have you had time to meet with thus far since the portfolio changeover?

Senator Fifield: I will take that on notice. There are many who I have caught up with, but rather than give an incomplete account I will take that on notice.

Senator LUDLAM: I appreciate that. Rather than taking it from me, have you met anybody yet within the sector who has provided you with evidence, more directly than anecdotes that I might provide you with, that there are companies that are laying people off at the moment in the small to medium end as a result of these changes? Have you come across any evidence of that?

Senator Fifield: I will take that on notice. It may well be the case that there has been correspondence to me to that effect, but in terms of face-to-face conversations I guess the way that it has been presented is that it is something that is in contemplation for some organisations.

Answer:

Question 1: Who have you had time to meet with thus far since the portfolio changeover?

Since becoming Minister for the Arts Minister Fifield has met with many arts stakeholders, including representatives of the arts sector and state and territory counterparts.

On 6 November 2015, the Minister attended the National Arts Sector Roundtable involving approximately 70 arts delegates from around the country, at where he heard feedback regarding arts funding. On 2 October 2015, Minister Fifield attended the Meeting of Cultural Ministers (MCM), during which he consulted with state and territory arts ministers on arts funding.

Question 2: Rather than taking it from me, have you met anybody yet within the sector who has provided you with evidence, more directly than anecdotes that I might provide you with, that there are companies that are laying people off at the moment in the small to medium end as a result of these changes? Have you come across any evidence of that?

No.