THE HON MARK DREYFUS QC MP
SHADOW ATTORNEY-GENERAL
SHADOW MINISTER FOR THE ARTS MEMBER FOR ISAACS
MEDIA RELEASE
GOVERNMENT LEGAL ASSISTANCE CUTS HIT SA
Shadow Arts Minister Mark Dreyfus says that comments by the Minister for the Arts this morning have sent a chilling message to artists across Australia.
Yesterday there were reports that Senator Brandis plans to change Australia Council funding arrangements to prevent artists who unreasonably refuse private sponsorship from receiving government funding.
This morning he went further, saying that it would not be reasonable to refuse sponsorship on political grounds from tobacco companies:
HOST: For instance if an artist or an organisation rejected sponsorship from a tobacco company, would that be reasonable ever?
BRANDIS: Well, look, I myself don't think that arts companies should reject bona fide sponsorship from commercially sound prospective partners on political grounds.
INTERVIEW WITH FRAN KELLY - ABC RADIO NATIONAL - 14 MARCH 2014
"The message Senator Brandis has sent to the Australian arts community is deeply disturbing," Mr Dreyfus said.
"Political parties are able to refuse funds from tobacco companies, sporting events cannot advertise tobacco products, but it would be unreasonable, according to Senator Brandis, for artists to decline tobacco sponsorship.
"Australia Council funding is not the Arts Minister's private bank.
"It is public funding, which should not be granted on the condition that any recipient will toe the Abbott Government's political or ethical line.
"Under Labor the Minister was specifically prevented from directing grants decisions made by the Australia Council.
"The steps Senator Brandis has taken to insert himself into decisions that quite rightly have previously been made by the Australia Council should worry all Australians."
FRIDAY, 14 MARCH 2014
