Peter Garrett has kept the arts and will go into the new term of Government as not only Minister for Environment but also Heritage and the Arts.
It seems that earlier information I received regarding the possibility of Bob McMullan heading up the portfolio was incorrect. But speaking to many insiders late last night and earlier today, no one was really privy to the information.
This means that the Arts will be heading towards a more community focused leadership with a naturally heavy bias towards the development of Australia's music industry.
I must admit that Mr Garrett has shown an active concern for the arts which was evident in him holding the five forums around the country. Although slightly nervous at facing halls full of arts workers, he listened and took on many issues.
But the new Minister has an up-hill battle. You can see my earlier thoughts on the Arts and the ALP here.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Garrett keeps arts portfolio
Posted by Nicholas Pickard at 1:42 pm
Labels: Arts Funding, Election 2007
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5 comments:
It's one thing to show up to a few forums. It's another thing altogether to work cooperatively with the arts community at a federal government level.
Anyone really interested in just how arts-focussed this government plans to be should visit www.alp.org.au and download the arts policy.
Rhetoric, hyperbole and a couple of impressive figures.
Don't think that just because Howard is gone that the arts community is suddenly going to be flush with federal government support and largesse.
It's time to lobby hard people. Really hard. I think Alex Broun has done a marvellous job so far and perhaps he and some of his supporters might consider starting a federally focussed arts and culture lobby group to take up our collective causes.
For an example of just how effective lobbying Canberra can be, look no further than the relative success Luhrmann and Miller had dragging their 40% Producer Rebate scheme into reality.
I fear your analysis is correct, Nicholas. (It might be unfair, but Alex Broun is indelibly connected with the Short & Sweet festival to me. Which is a model of "access" to theatre that I have very real doubts about.)
Well, some good arts advocacy is the problem. Sophisticated advocacy. For god's sake don't call it the Arts Industry Alliance or whatever it was called last time.
Oh dear god! The Arts Industry Alliance! I just brought up my dinner!
No, I certainly wasn't suggesting anything of the sort ... I suggested effective lobbying at all levels of government - not some waspish pinko outfit only interested in union-inspired mellowdrama.
IDEA FOR A MUSICAL inspired by the liberal leadership settlement
An 80s retro musical, hmm let's see, casey benetto to write it, titled um how about:
A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS FIGHTING OVER A CHIP
Synopsis: a political thriller set in an imaginary political party riven by personal animosities and ambitions for thirteen years, lurching from crisis to thigh-slappingly hilarious crisis...
Dramatis Personae & Casting Suggestions:
Sunlamp Kid Andrew Peacock 83-85, played by Brendan Nelson
Honest John Howard 85-89 played by Tony 'People Skills' Abbott (thanks for that line, Annabel Crabb)
Then the return of the king, Andrew 'a souffle never rises twice' Peacock 89-90, Brendan Nelson reprises the role that made him fatuous...
And coup mastermind Wilson Tuckey played by.... Wilson Tuckey!
Ferrari-driving merchant banker Dr John Hewson 90-94 played by... hmmmmm, is Malcolm Turnbull too obvious a choice?
Alexander Downer 94-95, well who else has the rounded Adelaide vowels but Christopher Pyne?
And before we come to Howard Redux 95-96 let's think about supporting cast:
Who to play Joh for Canberra 87? Barnaby's nutty enough but not nearly as nasty. Maybe Dr Flegg the Qld Lib leader who won't call a party room vote? Or the WA opposition leader Omodei who said anyone who tapped him on the shoulder would cop a right hook? or maybe Pauline Hanson?
And how about Bronwyn Bishop and her pitch for leader in 93, anyone remember that? Who plays Bronny? Julie Bishop has the name, but is disqualified by actually having some talent, so for some inspired casting how about Janet Albrechtsen, we'd save on the wig budget cos she has the hair for it, and she could be a Lib senator in ten years time, yes?
Finally we come to Act 3: Howard Redux, eyebrows plucked, teeth capped, 95-96... The prodigal son returns from the wilderness to claim what is rightfully his... has to be a forgotten man written off by everyone in act one... yes of course.... Peter Costello! (like in that Luis Bunuel film, That Obscure Object Of Desire, with the same character played by two different actors... tricky huh...)
Remember what our mate Karl Marx said, history is always repeated twice, first time as tragedy, second as farce...
but in our production we save money but making it tragedy and farce all at once...
I hear besuited synth-pop and square bar-band guitar, a kind of early-Depeche Mode meets Huey Lewis and the News.
And it scares me.
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