Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.

Minister for the Arts and Sport

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, announced today that the Australian Government will provide increased ongoing funding to Australia’s symphony and specialist opera and ballet orchestras.

“Upgrading the funding of our major orchestras to ongoing status is a clear indication of the strong commitment this Government has to ensuring Australian audiences have access to the highest standards of orchestral music,” Senator Brandis said.

“These orchestras are the foundation of the relationship the Australian public has with classical music, and it is vital that this foundation remains strong and in fact becomes even stronger.

“This ongoing funding will ensure that the significant reforms that emerged from the Government’s response to a 2005 review of our orchestras, to strengthen their artistic performances and their business sustainability, will be fully implemented.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that the current Australian Government funding package has ensured that all six state symphony orchestras are now established as independent companies, fully divested from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.”

Following the 2005 Orchestras Review, conducted by Mr James Strong AO, the Australian Government committed a funding package of $25.4 million over four years for the symphony and specialist opera and ballet orchestras. Of this, $4.327 million per annum will be ongoing.

This funding will ensure the ongoing sustainability of the orchestras and will enable the orchestras in Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart to maintain the size of their permanent ensembles in line with the Government’s response to the Orchestras Review.

The Australian Government funding is to be reviewed triennially, and is conditional on ongoing funding being provided by state governments that reflects agreed funding ratios for the orchestras. The Government has also undertaken to conduct a detailed evaluation in 2008 of the effectiveness of the funding provided through the Orchestras Review package. The evaluation will provide an opportunity for orchestras to make submissions.

Go to www.dcita.gov.au/arts_culture/publications_and_reports/inquiries_and_reviews for more information on the 2005 Orchestras Review.

Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248
8 October 2007
132/07