Peter Garrett MP
Member for Kingsford Smith
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Reconciliation and the Arts

Jennifer Bott’s early resignation from the Australia Council, together with the recent emphasis on financial and structural reform, means the new appointment must be someone with a proven record in the Arts.

It’s critical that the incoming CEO has a strong commitment to artists and arts organisations and is given the opportunity to implement a desperately needed strategic vision for the arts sector.

There are a number of key challenges facing the Australia Council as the country’s primary arts funding and advocacy body.

These include the state of the community arts sector, the current pattern of funding crises so apparent in the small to medium sized sector and the impending review of the council’s triennial funding arrangement.

Labor recognises Ms Bott’s valuable contribution and wishes her well for the future.

Contact: Andrew Palfreyman