Opposition slams Government over arts

Shadow Minister for Arts Anthony Roberts today slammed the Keneally Labor Government’s lack of commitment to the Arts following the release of an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report which shows NSW has the lowest level of cultural arts funding per capita in Australia.

Shadow Minister for Arts Anthony Roberts today slammed the Keneally Labor Government’s lack of commitment to the Arts following the release of an Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) report which shows NSW has the lowest level of cultural arts funding per capita in Australia.

“Once again these figures prove just how behind the rest of the country NSW has fallen under the incompetent State Labor Government,” Mr Roberts said.

“Australia wide the average dollars per person for Arts Funding is $33.14 but in NSW it is just $17.19 per person.

“This is just not acceptable, we have wonderful Arts venues, artists both established and upcoming and their value is being undermined.

“It is no wonder they either leave NSW for other states or worse, go overseas.

“For too many years we have been slipping behind Victoria and Queensland, losing major events due to a lack of appreciation and ignoring the value of the Arts and what they can bring to this once great state.”

Mr Roberts said these same figures show that in the 2008-09 period, funding for the Arts by the NSW Government was at $121.6m, whilst in Victoria it was $175.6m, more proof that Victoria has overtaken NSW as the cultural centre.

“It is about time that these anomalies are addressed and the incompetent Keneally Labor Government starts addressing the important funding issues many of the Arts Organisations are experiencing,” said Mr Roberts.