The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Increased funding to stabilise the opera and ballet orchestras

The Australian Government will provide a total funding package of $10.6 million over four years to implement improvements to the governance, finances and artistic standards of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.

“This additional funding clearly demonstrates the Australian Government’s commitment to Australia’s specialist opera and ballet orchestras, and to our national opera and ballet companies,” said the Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator Rod Kemp.

In 2005 the Orchestras Review, conducted by James Strong, recommended a further examination of the opera and ballet orchestras in Sydney and Melbourne.

This examination found that improvements could be made in the governance, operational and financial arrangements of the opera and ballet orchestras, and that there was scope to work on improving artistic standards.

Specific funding initiatives include:

$7.2 million over four years for Opera Australia to improve the financial viability and governance arrangements of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra;
additional funding of $1.8 million over four years to Orchestra Victoria for specific initiatives to enhance artistic standards; and
$1.6 million over four years to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet to improve the management of occupational health and safety issues for musicians.

“This additional funding is above the $25.4 million over four years the Government has already committed to the orchestral sector in response to the Strong Review,” Senator Kemp said.

The examination was conducted in consultation with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet, together with the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra and Orchestra Victoria.

The additional funding will be conditional upon contributions from the New South Wales and Victorian Governments, reflecting the current funding proportions established by the 1999 Major Performing Arts Inquiry.

Supporting Information

Why is this important?

To ensure high quality orchestral support to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet.
To resolve a number of governance, operational and financial issues threatening the sustainability and artistic standards of Australia’s two specialist opera and ballet orchestras.

Who will benefit?

Opera Australia, the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra Victoria and The Australia Ballet and their audiences.

What funding is the Government committing to the initiative?

Specific funding initiatives include:

$7.2 million over four years for Opera Australia to improve the financial viability and governance arrangements of the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra;
additional funding of $1.8 million over four years to Orchestra Victoria for specific initiatives to enhance artistic standards; and
$1.6 million over four years to Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet to improve the management of occupational health and safety issues (respite) for musicians.

What have we done in the past?

The Government provided additional funding of $25.4 million over four years for the symphony orchestral sector in response to James Strong’s 2005 Orchestras Review.
The Government provides ongoing annual funding for opera and ballet as follows (2005 figures):
- Opera Australia $10.0 million;
- The Australian Ballet $4.0 million;
- The Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra $4.1 million; and
- Orchestra Victoria $3.7 million.

When will the initiative conclude?

The initiative is for four years, lapsing in 2009-10, when it will be subject to evaluation.

8 May 2006
Media contact: Michael Christo, Minister’s Office 03 9650 7274 or 0409 040276