Government announces Creative Economy Taskforce

26.08.20

Over the weekend the Minister for the Arts announced the members of the Creative Economy Taskforce, an element of the Government’s $250 million rescue package for the arts. Notably, no one from Australian literature was included on the taskforce.

Given that the taskforce will assist in the implementation of the Government’s JobMaker plan and provide strategic guidance to build the sector, the ASA is deeply concerned that there are no representatives from Australian literature on the panel, particularly after no one from literature was asked to appear at the Joint Select Committee into COVID-19.

This announcement follows our internal analysis that funding for literature has fallen over many years. In 2013-14, funding through Australia Council was a strong $9 million, but has decreased since then to be hovering around $4.1 to $5.1 million over the last four years. “This is why it’s crucial a practising author be included on the taskforce,” said ASA CEO Olivia Lanchester, “If literature isn’t represented, it will be quietly overlooked again.”

Analysis by Kim Williams shows that if funding for literature was maintained at levels as in the mid-1970s it would be worth approximately $12 million per annum. Today, it stands at just $5 million.

We know that reading is Australia’s favourite pastime, enjoys one of the highest participation rates of all the arts and has profound benefits in educational outcomes, and management of stress and anxiety. The ASA believes that failing to include a literature representative on the Creative Economy Taskforce is a blow to the authors and illustrators that have been integral to providing comfort and delight to so many during the isolation of the pandemic. 

We are writing to the Minister for the Arts, Paul Fletcher, to request the inclusion of a representative from Australian literature on the taskforce, and will keep you informed of any response from Government on this issue.