Recommendations to support the recovery of the Australia’s arts and cultural sector after the significant impacts of the bushfires then COVID will be laid out in a report released today by the House of Representatives Communications and the Arts Committee.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 27 October 2021

Recommendations to support the recovery of the Australia’s arts and cultural sector after the significant impacts of the bushfires then COVID will be laid out in a report released today by the House of Representatives Communications and the Arts Committee. 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. As home to the world’s longest continuously living culture, Australia boasts a unique and invaluable artistic and cultural identity. The Chair, Dr Anne Webster MP, stated that ‘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 Indigenous artistic centres. The Committee recognises the resilience, adaptiveness and innovation shown by the industry in dealing with these significant challenges.’ ‘The Committee has made 21 recommendations that will support the recovery of the industry, maximise employment, and contribute to economic growth.’ ‘A healthy, sustainable arts industry will allow Australia’s creative and cultural industries and institutions to emerge from the COVID-19 public health emergency and allow Australia’s arts to reach new heights,’ Dr Webster said. The report can be accessed from the Committee’s website.   Media enquiries: Office of Dr Webster MP Phone (03) 5021 5987 For background information, please contact the committee secretariat: Phone: (02) 6277 4386      Email: communications.reps@aph.gov.au      Website: www.aph.gov.au/communications

Folk, theatre, videogames and galleries are amongst a host of Australian arts bodies who will give evidence as part of an ongoing inquiry into the state of the Australian arts sector.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 4 February 2021

Folk, theatre, videogames and galleries are amongst a host of Australian arts bodies who will give evidence as part of an ongoing inquiry into the state of the Australian arts sector. Chair of the Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts, Dr David Gillespie MP, said the hearings on 5 and 19 February 2021 will further investigate the challenges faced by specific arts industries over the past year. ‘Australia boasts a rich cultural and creative landscape and I’m eager to hear about the key areas for growth and development for our creative industries, as well as the challenges that have recently tested their resilience,’ said Dr Gillespie MP. ‘The Committee will also take evidence from government departments on their support for Australia’s arts workers, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,’ Dr Gillespie MP added. ‘With an estimated contribution of 6.4 per cent of Australia’s GDP, the Committee recognises the fundamental role our creative and cultural industries play in Australia’s economy. We are keen to understand how Australia can best harness its creative and cultural capabilities in order to rebuild this vital part of our economy to be better than ever,’ said Dr Gillespie MP. The full programs for 5 and 19 February 2021, and the Inquiry’s terms of reference, may be found on the Inquiry webpage. The hearings will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live. Information about the Committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s webpage. Media inquiries Robert Nardella, Office of Dr David Gillespie MP: 0433 141 433 Electorate Office: 02 6586 4462 Parliament Office: 02 6277 4960 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4386 communications.reps@aph.gov.au

A parliamentary inquiry into the state of Australia’s arts sector will hold its first virtual public hearings this week.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 11 November 2020

A parliamentary inquiry into the state of Australia’s arts sector will hold its first virtual public hearings this week. Communications and the Arts Committee Chair Dr David Gillespie says authors, artists, performers, musicians, arts advocates and academics will speak about their experiences of the past year, as well as their visions for the future, at the hearings. ‘I’m pleased that major Australian cultural contributors like Helen Garner, Dr Charlotte Wood and Christos Tsiolkas will be appearing at our first hearing,’ Dr Gillespie said. ‘I look forward to hearing from these prominent Australians, and from all witnesses, about the significant contribution the arts makes to our lives, our economy and our way of coping with difficult events.’ In addition to receiving hundreds of formal submissions, the Committee has received nearly 5,000 responses to an online survey on the state of Australia’s arts industry. ‘These responses detail the vital role that literature, art, music and more have made to people’s lives,’ Dr Gillespie said. ‘Although we are consuming, and perhaps appreciating, the arts more in light of COVID-19 and lockdowns, it has become much more difficult for those who create the content we are consuming so rapidly. The Committee is keen to explore how we can move forward as a nation of artists and arts lovers.’ The full programs, and the inquiry’s terms of reference, are available from the inquiry webpage. Information about the Committee, including membership, may be found on the Committee’s webpage. Media inquiries Robert Nardella, Office of Dr David Gillespie MP: 0433 141 433 Electorate Office: 02 6586 4462 Parliament Office: 02 6277 4960 For background information on the inquiry process Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4386 communications.reps@aph.gov.au

Australia’s cultural and creative industries and institutions will be the focus of a new Parliamentary inquiry. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hear evidence on the benefits the arts bring to Australia, and the significant impacts that COVID-19 has had on this important industry.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 27 August 2020

Australia’s cultural and creative industries and institutions will be the focus of a new Parliamentary inquiry. The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Communications and the Arts will hear evidence on the benefits the arts bring to Australia, and the significant impacts that COVID-19 has had on this important industry. Committee Chair, Dr David Gillespie MP, said ‘Australia’s cultural and creative industries are at a point of significant change as Australia adapts to life in a pandemic’. ‘Australia’s creative innovation economy has made us a major player in the international arts arena, delivering benefits to our economy and helping shape our national identity. It’s time to reflect on and re-think the way we create and interact with art, as we react to the pandemic and the challenges we need to overcome’. ‘We will take evidence on the terms of reference, and encourage anyone within the arts community to make a submission or participate in the online survey.’ The terms of reference are available from the inquiry webpage. Submissions can also be made through the webpage, or by email to communications.reps@aph.gov.au until 22 October 2020. Information about the Committee may be found on the Committee’s webpage. Media inquiries Robert Nardella, Office of Dr David Gillespie MP: 0433 141 433 Electorate Office: (02) 6586 4462 Parliament Office: (02) 6277 4960 For background information on the inquiry process Committee Secretariat (02) 6277 4386 communications.reps@aph.gov.au