AWG welcomes appointment of new Minister for the Arts Tony Burke MP

1 June, 2022

The Australian Writers’ Guild welcomes the appointment of Tony Burke MP as Minister for the Arts and Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. 

We join the industry in celebrating the Minister’s announcement today that the “nine-year political attack on the arts and entertainment sector is now over” and, in particular, welcome the commitment to a national cultural plan. We look forward to a government that regulates to reflect the world our members work in, telling amazing Australian stories to Australians and international audiences.

Our industry has changed radically, and we welcome a government ready to respond and focus on our shared future. Our members in screen, podcasting and games kept us entertained throughout the pandemic, while our playwrights suffered the worst of COVID-19’s impacts on live performance. Post pandemic, we have the opportunity to set up the arts and creative sector for decades of success. 

We look forward to working with the Minister to deliver for Australian creatives and audiences.  

AWG Executive Director Claire Pullen said, “We welcome Tony Burke as our Minister, both as someone who genuinely loves the arts and someone who understands how work in our sector is evolving. Having a Minister who understands that a ‘work of art’ is about ‘work’ as much as it is ‘art’ will be key to the future success of ensuring Australia is a content powerhouse into the future.”