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The Hon David Templeman MLA was in Victoria on 30 January 2023 to join Federal Minister for the Arts Hon Tony Burke MP who formally opened consultation on a National Cultural Policy in July 2022.

The consultation process, overseen by the Office for the Arts (OFTA) ran until August 2022 with more than 1200 submissions received. Town hall meetings were held in every state and territory. The town hall meetings in Western Australia were in Perth and Broome.

The National Cultural Policy builds on the previous 2013 Creative Australia: National Cultural Policy (Creative Australia) and consists of ‘five pillars’ which will form the basis of the National Cultural Policy:

1. First Nations first: recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the centre of our arts and culture
2. A place for every story: reflecting the diversity of our stories and the contribution of all Australians as the creators of culture
3. The centrality of the artist: supporting the artist as worker and celebrating their role as the creators of culture;
4. Strong institutions: providing support across the spectrum of institutions — funded, philanthropic and commercial — which sustain our arts and culture
5. Reaching the audience: ensuring our stories reach the people at home and abroad.

Many of WA’s current arts and culture priorities align with this national plan including the development of an Aboriginal Cultural Centre which has a funding commitment of $52 million from the State Government matched by the $52 million from the Australian Government.  

Current arts and cultural funding in WA supports a diverse range of activities and cultural communities to ensure access for both artists and audiences across the State including regional and remote WA.

The National Cultural Policy launched involved 300-350 attendees including arts sector peak bodies, artists and industry representatives (screen, writing, live performance, visual arts, music), First Nations organisations, federal and state government representatives.

“I’m delighted to see the synergies between the policy pillars and what’s underway in WA including planning for our Aboriginal Cultural Centre which will showcase our First Nations History and culture at a location in Boorloo/Perth; our planned Perth screen production facility; our Screen Production Attraction Fund; and our Games and Interactive Fund,” Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman said.

Aboriginal Affairs and Multicultural Interests Minister Tony Buti added: “It is particularly pleasing that the new National Cultural Policy puts the voices of First Nations people front and centre. Providing Aboriginal creative control is critical to success in this space.

“For our multicultural community, it’s vitally important that government support reflects the diversity of all Australians and ensures everyone has access to engage with, express and shape culture.”