Meeting with Minister for Culture and the Arts John Day, 20 January 2010, 4pm – 4.30pm

Receiving the Deputation

Hon John Day, Minister for Culture and the Arts

Ms Lorissa Kelly, Principal Policy Advisor

Ms Hillary Lambert, Communications Manager, Department Culture and the Arts

Ms Jacqui Allen Deputy Director General, Department of Culture and the Arts

Representing the History Council

Professor Geoff Bolton

Professor Ted Snell

Dr Sue Graham-Taylor

The above deputation from the History Council met with the Minister on 20 January 2010 at his office in Dumas House. We outlined those concerns of the History Council and its wider membership that led to the organization of the Arts Forum at the Town Hall Forum on the 19 October 2009. We described the broad support we had received both before and after the Conference and Ted and Geoff outlined the broad arguments they had put forward at the Forum.

The Minister responded that he appreciated the support he had received in his efforts to secure recognition and funding for his portfolio. He particularly appreciated the broad nature of the support and interest of the forum participants and he fully understood our concerns. However, the global financial crisis that hit soon after the Barnett Government came to power has meant that funding is limited and there are many competing demands on this reduced budget.

Since taking on the portfolio he has found that the existing planning carried out for capital works in had not been contextualized or linked to the broad planning agenda for the city. This he is seeking to have remedied.

Jacqui Allen outlined details of the Capital Works Masterplan being carried out for the Arts Portfolio, which will give the Minister and the Government the capacity to respond to requests. Some work on the Capital Works Masterplan has already been undertaken, looking at such topics including population distribution, demographics and emerging issues for the city. Business cases for some of the infrastructure items are already being carried out – State Records Office, Museum, Art Gallery. This Master Planning will be ready in 18 months time.

When asked about planning for staffing, Ms Allen stated that it would be covered as part of the Plan. Ongoing funding once construction is completed will also be budgeted for, as has been done for the State Theatre.

All three of us stressed to the Minister the need to maintain ongoing funding for Arts and Cultural agencies related agencies to redress their deteriorating funding base. The Minister was supportive but not hopeful and this is an issue we must continue to stress.

The Minister stated that we can expect to see an announcement on the Premier’s Book Awards soon.

Minister John Day urged us to work together so that we can come up with an agreed common goal and list of priorities for the future. He appreciates letters and acknowledged that it helps his case if we can publicly argue for a united and focused arts and cultural plan for the State. Jacqui Allen and Hillary Lambert from the Department also stressed the fact that they are willing to answer any questions we may have. People are also able to contact John Day’s Principal Policy Advisor, Ms Lorissa Kelly

Ted Snell, Geoff Bolton, Sue Graham-Taylor, 21 January 2010