A new chapter in Australia’s cultural story has begun.

The Albanese Labor Government’s new National Cultural Policy – Revive – has been released today and will set the course for Australia’s arts, entertainment and cultural sector for the next five years.

Revive will empower our talented artists and arts organisations to thrive and grow – unlocking new opportunities, reaching new audiences and telling stories in compelling new ways.

It will bring drive, direction and vision back to the $17 billion industry – which employs an estimated 400,000 Australians – after a lost decade of federal policy drift and funding neglect.

Backed by $286 million in dedicated funding over four years, Revive’s centrepiece is the establishment of Creative Australia.

Creative Australia will be the Government’s new principal arts investment and advisory body. The governing body of Creative Australia will continue to be known as the Australia Council.

Creative Australia will expand on and modernise the Australia Council’s work with additional funding of $200 million over four years – restoring the money cut by the former Liberal and National Government.

Funding decisions will be made on the basis of artistic merit and at arm’s length from Government.

Within Creative Australia four new bodies will be established:

• A new First Nations-led body that will give First Nations people autonomy over decisions and investments
• Music Australia, a dedicated new body to support and invest in the Australian contemporary music industry
• Writers Australia, to support writers and illustrators to create new works
• A new Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces to ensure creative workers are paid fairly and have safe workplaces free from harassment and discrimination.

Revive is built on five pillars but puts First Nations first - recognising and respecting the crucial place of these stories at the heart of our arts and culture.

That’s why in addition to the Creative Australia First Nations body, Revive commits the Government to:

• Introducing legislation to protect First Nations knowledge and cultural expressions, including the harm caused by fake art
• Developing a First Nations creative workforce strategy
• Funding the establishment of a National Aboriginal Art Gallery in Alice Springs and an Aboriginal Cultural Centre in Perth
• Providing $11 million to establish a First Nations Languages Policy Partnership between First Nations representatives and Australian governments

Revive also commits the Government to regulating Australian content on streaming platforms; improving lending rights and incomes for Australian writers; increased funding for regional art; and dozens of other measures.

Comments attributed to Minister for the Arts Tony Burke:

“Under Revive, there will be a place for every story and a story for every place. It is a comprehensive roadmap for Australia’s arts and culture that touches all areas of government, from cultural diplomacy in foreign affairs to health and education.

“Our artists are creators and workers. This sector is essential for our culture and for our economy. As the sector recovers from years of neglect followed by the tough pandemic period, Revive will set the arts sector on a new trajectory with fresh momentum.”

Comments attributed to Special Envoy for the Arts Susan Templeman MP

“In the development of this new policy, in my role as Special Envoy for the Arts, artists and creators have shared their insights and hopes for how we revive a sector has felt sorely neglected.

“The arts sector can see the passion the Minister for the Arts brings to this portfolio and they’ve told me how much they appreciate a government that is willing to work in partnership with them and respects what they do.

“This policy will provide not just increased funding but increased respect for the work that artists and creators do.

“In my own electorate of Macquarie there are many creators who have been waiting for a government to recognise the vital contribution they make to our society. It’s been a privilege to have helped make that a reality.”

To read the National Cultural Policy in full visit: www.arts.gov.au/culturalpolicy