- Tony Burke is the new Arts Minister following Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s reshuffle yesterday
- Mr Burke will continue to carry out former Arts Minister Simon Crean’s National Cultural Policy
- Heidi Victoria is Victoria’s new Arts Minster after former premier and arts minister Ted Baillieu resigned
Yesterday’s announcement of Tony Burke as the new federal Arts Minister and Michael Danby as his parliamentary secretary caused cautious optimism about Australia’s eventful arts sector.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard made the changes during her sixth retooling of her Ministry, saying Mr Burke brought a long interest in the arts to the role.
Mr Burke Tweeted it was an honour to continue former arts minister Simon Crean’s roll-out of the National Cultural Policy.
(Read the National Cultural Policy here; PDF)
National Cultural Policy errors
Veronica Pardo, executive director of Arts Access Victoria, said Mr Burke has work to do to amend the mistakes of Mr Crean.
“We look forward to working with Tony Burke to address the concerns that people with a disability have put to Simon Crean about the failure of the National Cultural Policy.
Ms Pardo said, “Some unfortunate wording has been included which is that the policy encourages a culture of ‘tolerance’ of people with a disability.”
Artists with a disability did not want to be “tolerated” but celebrated, she said, with Ms Pardo calling the language “outmoded”.
Arts correspondent for Crikey Ben Eltham said Mr Burke’s and Mr Danby’s promotions were rewards for being Gillard loyalists.
Mr Burke’s top priority will be to assure the arts community of government commitment to the National Cultural Policy, Eltham said.
“Great advocate” gets promotion
Stakeholders praised the appointment of Heidi Victoria as Victoria’s Arts Minister a fortnight ago, with observers saying she is a “great advocate” of the sector.
Mrs Victoria comes with experience in the field, having been made parliamentary secretary to the arts by former premier Ted Baillieu after the 2010 election.
Premier Denis Napthine promoted her to the Ministry following Mr Baillieu’s resignation earlier this month.
Jill Morgan, CEO of Multicultural Arts Victoria, said Mrs Victoria’s move to the job was a positive change for the arts in Victoria.
“I think it’s great to have somebody who’s been such an outstanding parliamentary secretary actually be appointed to the ministerial role,” she said.
Ms Morgan said it would be great having an arts minister who is not premier, even though Mrs Victoria also has the portfolios of Women’s Affairs and Community Affairs .
“I think it’s very difficult because there’s so many demands on people that I think having someone dedicated towards the Arts Ministry is vitally important,” she said.
Veronica Pardo agreed, saying Mrs Victoria should have more time to consult with the sector.
“We’re very much looking forward to seeing her involved within the arts, coming to events and engaging directly with the arts community,” Ms Pardo said.
Arts Access Victoria, an organisation representing artists with disabilities, is pleased with the appointment of Heidi Victoria as state Minister of the Arts
