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

Last night in Paris 148 countries to 2 – the US and Israel opposing- voted in favour of the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity.

Despite this near unanimous result Australia went missing, being one of only 4 countries (along with Liberia, Honduras and Nicaragua) to abstain from voting.

“It is extremely disappointing that the Howard Government rejected the opportunity to join Canada, the UK, France and a host of other nations, in committing to measures that would protect Australian culture,” Mr Garrett said. 

“The British ambassador’s comments on the Convention have left Australia exposed. Ambassador Craddock said the text is “…carefully balanced, consistent with the principles of international law and fundamental rights”.

“Why then didn’t the Government vote and what are the reasons for this lack of action.”

“Support for the Convention does not mean that nations would have to modify any commitments under existing treaties but its importance is that it does impose a requirement on nations to stand up for local culture.“

“The Howard Government’s silence lets down Australia’s creative sector and calls into question the Government’s genuine support for our film and television industries.”

Out of three hundred films released last year only fifteen were Australian and the total box office share of locally produced films has fallen from 9.5 per cent in 1986 to 1.3 per cent in 2004.

The amount of Australian content on television remains at low levels in comparison to equivalent countries. Locally made television programs account for only 24 per cent compared to the US which has 96 per cent and Canada which has 75 per cent.

 Contact: Andrew Palfreyman