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

Labor welcomes the release of National Gallery of Australia (NGA) director Ron Radford's Vision Paper. There is much to commend, including the commitment to amplify the Indigenous, Asian and Pacific Island component of the collection.

Mr Radford's refocusing of collection policy is to be applauded. As is his commitment to partnerships with state institutions and smaller galleries.

The ambitious proposals for refurbishment, additional exhibitions and reconfiguring the collection will require substantial support from the Howard Government. The NGA has been underfunded and subjected to inadequate Government oversight in recent times.

Minister Kemp must lay out clearly how the Government intends to support the NGA under the new director's vision.

It is a sign of the lack of national investment in the arts that Mr Radford proposes accessing the Future Fund. Labor believes that funding for acquisitions should not have to come from the fire sale of Telstra.

The Finance Minister has said that the Future Fund's mandate is yet to be determined. With an existing surplus of $ 13.6 billion the Government must commit to supporting Mr Radford's vision including expanding the National Gallery's collection independent of any call being made on the Future Fund.

What does Senator Kemp have to say?

Contact: Andrew Palfreyman