Articles - 25 May 2008
The crafted budget
In this issue we focus specifically on the outcome of the federal budget delivered on May 13 this year. It is the first Labor budget since the government came to office at the end of 2007 and it delivers on many of the election promises made to the arts community. The following is a summary of some of the key areas of support for the arts, most of which are through the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, however, some strategic programs that have an impact on the craft design and sector can be found in other government portfolios.
Budget at a glance
Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts
- Resale royalty scheme for visual artists.
The Government will provide $1.5 million over three years to implement a resale royalty scheme for visual artists. This measure is designed to assist a collecting agency to set up the necessary infrastructure to collect royalties and return these to the artists. The collecting agency would recover costs from a share of the royalties collected. - Establishment of Creative Communities Program.
$10.0 million over four years to improve opportunities for Australians to participate in community based arts and cultural activities. Funds will be allocated to the Australia Council to enable it to implement initiatives to enhance participation in the arts through strategic investments. - A Creative Australia - support for young and emerging artists.
The Government will provide $6.6 million over four years to support young and emerging artists and to engage young audiences in the arts. The funding will provide support for: performing arts companies to offset the income that would otherwise be earned from presenting better known or more commercial works; projects that support young and emerging artists in developing professional skills, expertise and professional networking; and projects that engage young artists and audiences, particularly in demonstrating best practice in the areas of youth arts and new technologies. - Artists in Residence Education Initiative.
The Government will provide $5.2 million over four years to the Australia Council to improve access to quality artistic experiences for students in primary and secondary schools and tertiary institutions. The measure will provide grants of up to $20,000 for individual professional artists, and $100,000 for arts organisations, to develop and deliver arts learning experiences through in school residencies. - Regional Arts Fund.
The Government will provide $11.8 million over four years to continue the Regional Arts Fund program, which supports sustainable cultural development in regional and remote Australia and assists the professional skills development of regional artists. The program also facilitates the formation of partnerships and networks, co funds regional arts worker positions and supports strategic initiatives that address disadvantage in remote, isolated and Indigenous communities.
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Export assistance.
The Government will provide an additional $50.0 million in 2009 10 for the Export Market Development Grants Scheme. The Scheme provides small and medium sized Australian businesses with taxable grants to reimburse a proportion of eligible export promotion costs.
Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research
- Enterprise Connect Innovation Centres.
$250.7 million will be provided over five years to establish ten Enterprise Connect Innovation Centres around Australia. The centres will provide business and advisory and diagnostic services targeted at assisting small and medium businesses improve their productivity and capacity for innovation.
The funding will establish Industry Innovation Councils for key sectors to support the Enterprise Connect network; and provide resources for establishing governance and administration arrangements to bring responsibility for innovation, industry, science and research within the one department. - Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry review.
The Government will provide $0.9 million over two years to conduct a comprehensive review of Australia's Textile, Clothing and Footwear industry. The review is being conducted by Professor Roy Green and supported by an expert reference group. It is examining the effectiveness of the post 2005 Textile, Clothing and Footwear assistance package and other factors affecting the competitiveness of Australia's Textile, Clothing and Footwear sector. - Promotion Australian exports.
The Government will provide $2.7 million over three years to support the promotion of Australian exports using the Australian Made, Australian Grown logo. The funding will be matched by private sector contributions. - Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative.
The Government will provide $37.8 million over five years to establish the Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) initiative. Funding for this measure will be provided from the redirection of funds from the Research Quality Framework.
Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations
- National Secondary School Computer Fund.
Commitment to support the deployment of fibre connections to Australian schools online curriculum tools and resources for the classrooms of the 21st century. - Higher Education.
The Government will establish an Education Investment Fund to be spent on higher education and vocational education and training facilities. In addition, to help universities upgrade and maintain teaching, research and other student facilities, the Government will provide $500 million by 30 June 2008. - Trade Training Centres in Schools program.
The Government will provide $2.5 billion over ten years to implement the Trade Training Centres in Schools Program. The program will provide facilities to enhance vocational education opportunities for students in Years 9 to 12 in every Government and non Government secondary school. Funding will be provided through a national application process to build or upgrade metal, woodwork, automotive, building and construction, electrotechnology and other trade workshops. By providing access to high quality, relevant education and training opportunities students will be encouraged to complete Year 12 or equivalent qualifications and to pursue an apprenticeship or vocational qualification in school. - Communities.
$1.1 million in 2008-09 will be provided to regional communities as a contribution towards the construction and fit out of five community centres. The centres will provide a meeting place and other resources for a range of local community groups.
Visit Australian Government Budget 2008-09.
Catrina Vignando
General Manager
Craft Australia
