It is no surprise the arts and culture sector has been ignored in last night's Budget 2020-21 delivery, despite the mantra being jobs, jobs, jobs, and a veiled message of care and recovery for all Australians.
The government was due to deliver the 2020-21 Federal Budget on 12 May, but postponed it because of the coronavirus pandemic.
But the wait hardly seemed worth it for the arts. Overwhelmingly, the sector has again been ignored. In his speech, Treasurer The Hon Josh Frydenberg said, ‘Our plan is guided by our values.’ The message is clear. There is no room to value the arts.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
Instagram: fairleygina
