[can-talk] Media release: CCA welcomes new government

The Collections Council of Australia yesterday mailed this Media Release to
major media agencies and is now pleased to share it. It is also posted on
our website at  <http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/media+room.aspx>
http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/media+room.aspx 

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

For immediate release, 29 January 2008 

 

Australia's collections sector welcomes the new Labor government

                          

The Collections Council of Australia welcomes the election of the new
government of Australia and anticipates a bright future for Australia's
collections with Labor at the helm. 

 

"We believe that some of the new departmental rearrangements will lead to
smoother working relationships, as built and movable cultural heritage are
brought together now in the Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and
the Arts. We are particularly happy that heritage has been reinstated into
the name of this department", said Sue Nattrass, Chair of the Collections
Council today.

 

Whether they are visited in archives, galleries, libraries, museums,
historical societies, keeping places, botanical or zoological gardens - or
online - Australia's collections are central to Australia's understanding of
itself. Historical, cultural, scientific and digital collections help us to
shape our place and solve problems in a changing world. Collections can also
be used to bridge gaps between generations by contributing to the
strengthening of our communities - past, present and future. 

 

The Collections Council is looking to right a wrong inherited from the
1970s. Although the Australia Council and the Australian Heritage Commission
were established by the Whitlam Government to support arts and heritage
development, the parallel attempt to form an Australian Museums Commission
was overtaken by the dismissal of the Whitlam Government. 

 

Since then policy and funding for collections has languished as a priority
for some governments. Most funding programs fall far short of actual needs,
and successive Australia: State of the Environment reports (1996-2006)
highlight the truly pitiable state of many Australian collections. 

 

"Now is the time to correct the historical accident that saw Australia's
collections take a back seat thirty years ago", said Ms Nattrass. 

 

In recognition of the importance of movable cultural heritage to Australia,
the Collections Council of Australia was established to advance the
nation-wide sustainability of collections The Collections Council now calls
on Australia's new government to:

 

1.         Facilitate better alignment between arts, heritage and
environment policies so that Australia's collections are seen as active
contributors to Australia's sustainable future.

 

2.         Invigorate all relevant Ministerial Councils to achieve this
alignment.

 

3.         Establish a 'future fund' for Australia's collections and the
sense of place and meaning that they give to their communities.

 

The Collections Council has clearly identified the needs of Australia's
collections. Its paper 'A new future for Australia's past' at
www.collectionscouncil.com.au <http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/>
contains three lead proposals for the development of Australia's regional
and digital collections, as well as for the education of Australia's
youngsters in how to use collections for learning and innovation. 

 

"Collections are a key element for Australia's broader sustainability
agenda. The collections sector encourages the new government to shape its
policies and work closely with the state and territory governments towards a
dynamic future for Australia's collections", said Ms Nattrass.   

Further information:   Margaret Birtley, Chief Executive Officer, T  (08)
8207 7272   M  0418 814 957

Collections Council of Australia Ltd
PO Box 263
Rundle Mall SA 5000
Tel: + 61 (8) 8207 7287
Fax: + 61 (8) 8207 7207
 <mailto:admin at collectionscouncil.com.au> admin at collectionscouncil.com.au
 <http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/> www.collectionscouncil.com.au

 <http://www.collectionscouncil.com.au/e-bulletin.aspx> Sign up to the CCA's
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