Senate Inquiry Public Hearings - Why not in Sydney?

9 September, 2015

As we have previouslyreported (1), the Senate Inquiry into the impact of 2014 and 2015 Commonwealth Budget decisions on the Arts was to hold one of its hearings in Sydney. This hearing was cancelled and the date reserved for Adelaide. While we are happy that our South Australian members will have their say, we believe that the failure to schedule a hearing in Sydney means that many people actively engaged in Australia’s cultural life in NSW will not have the opportunity to address the Senate Inquiry directly.

If you are similarly concerned, we urge you to tell the Senate Inquiry members that a hearing in Sydney must be added to the schedule, so that your voices are heard alongside your colleagues around Australia. Here’s how to do it.

You can write to:

senator.lazarus@aph.gov.au

senator.ludwig@aph.gov.au

senator.collins@aph.gov.au

senator.ludlam@aph.gov.au

senator.bilyk@aph.gov.au

Dear Senator

I am writing to request that a Senate Inquiry public hearing be held in Sydney as I understand was originally intended. 

While I am aware that hearings are already scheduled for five states, I propose that Sydney should be added to the list as NSW is home to the great majority both of individual artists and arts organisations. 

As you would know, the 2014 and 2015 cuts to arts funding fall primarily on individual artists and core funding for small to medium arts organisations. 

This means that in NSW there will be very serious impacts on the employment of the greatest number of artists in Australia, on their micro business enterprises and on the organisations that provide a resource and platform for their work. 

I believe it is important for them to have the opportunity to present their concerns so that parliamentarians are made aware of the consequences of these policy decisions on creators who will be losing employment opportunities.

Through the Senate Inquiry public hearings, it is also important for the community to be made aware that there will be a diminution of their access to cultural experience in both quantity and diversity.  

I look forward to your positive response

Your Signature