Senator the Hon. George Brandis S.C.
Minister for the Arts and Sport
Former Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts; Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate archived website
Minister for the Arts and Sport from 23 November 2001 to 30 January 2007
Funding secured for the Gallery of Australian Democracy
The Australian Government has announced ongoing funding for the new Gallery of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House in Canberra.
The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator George Brandis, said the Government’s commitment of ongoing funding for the operating costs of the new Gallery of Australian Democracy recognised the gallery’s “importance to future generations”.
“All Australians, particularly younger generations, will be the beneficiaries of this commitment the Australian Government is making to Old Parliament House—one of our most important cultural institutions,” Senator Brandis said.
“The Gallery of Australian Democracy will further enhance Old Parliament House’s role and image as the home of Australian parliamentary democracy, a role I believe will be valued even more highly by Australians in years to come.
“The establishment of the new gallery is already underway and in the future it will draw even more Australian and international visitors to this museum and major heritage site, and will increase their enjoyment and understanding of the unique stories Old Parliament House tells so well.”
In May 2006, the Government committed $31.5 million over four years to enhance the role of Old Parliament House in interpreting Australia’s rich political history and democratic traditions for the public.
The funding will provide for a comprehensive capital works program and state of the art exhibitions, education and online facilities for the new Gallery of Australian Democracy. The gallery will showcase and celebrate Australia’s rich history and democratic traditions. Aspects of this funding have now been made ongoing.
The Gallery of Australian Democracy includes the Australian Prime Ministers Centre—Stage One of which was opened by Prime Minister John Howard in June this year. The centre provides access to the wide range of material, held in our national collecting institutions, on Australia’s Prime Ministers and their governments. The centre will be a focal point for scholarship in this area with the provision of a research fellowship program and resulting publications and lecture series.
Visit www.oph.gov.au for more information.
Media contact: Travis Bell 0448 950 248
8 October 2007
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