Post federal election thoughts – what we expect from the Albanese Government

Image of Australia's Parliament House
Photo by Marcus Reubenstein on Unsplash

by Ryan J Leck and Ruby Okely

Arts Law would like to congratulate Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Albanese Government for securing a second term. 

Now that the election has passed it is time to focus on how the arts and culture sector will be affected and to be reminded of any pre-election promises. 

In its first term, the Albanese Government introduced Revive, a five-year National Cultural Policy aiming to rebuild and re-centre the arts.  Revive is structured around five pillars which set out the Government’s strategic objectives namely: 

  1. First Nations First;
  2. A Place for Every Story;
  3. Centrality of the Artist;
  4. Strong Cultural Infrastructure; and
  5. Engaging the Audience

The plan included $286 million in funding which will be delivered across four years. The Albanese Government has so far delivered 66 of the 85 actions through Creative Australia. 

For the progress of Revive including all delivered actions please visit this website.

Future commitments and expectations

With the election concluded, the arts sector anticipates the Albanese Government will: 

  • Continue to implement Revive including further consultation. 
  • Restore the South Melbourne Town Hall and rehoming the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM).
  • Regulate artificial intelligence and developing mandatory industry guardrails since their January 2024 consultations, through commitments made by Labor MP, Ed Husic. 
  • Revive Australia’s arts sector and film industry by implementing an Australian content obligation on streaming platforms following its failure to do so by 1 July 2024. As well as encourage large-scale screen productions to be filmed in Australia. 

Arts Minister, Tony Burke promised more investment into live Australian music. A re-elected government will extend Revive Live with a total investment of $25 million over the next two years which will provide support for Australian festivals and live music venues.

What the art sector wants 

Save Our Arts, a grassroots campaign aiming to promote greater investment in the arts, has asked for government funding to construct cultural centres and libraries, as well as to introduce an AI Act to curb AI-generated content.

Screen Producers Australia (SPA) have asked to expedite the implementation of a regulatory framework for streaming services for the promotion of Australian content.

National Association for the Visual Arts (NAVA) have asked for a cost-of-living support system for artists akin to the Greens’ policies, such as superannuation paid on artists’ fees and tax exemptions for grants and prize monies.

APRA AMCOS recently congratulated Prime Minister Albanese on his victory and have asked to introduce rebatable tax offsets for live music venues and festivals, as well as additional financial support for Australian music professional.

Australian Society of Authors (ASA) have stressed to the government that AI restrictions are desperately needed, as well as financial support through fellowships for writers and other creatives.

Progress on ICIP 

A significant development under Revive is the government’s commitment to protect Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). Early this year a First Nations Expert Working Group was established to guide the creation of stand-alone legislation. 

Additionally, IP Australia has launched the First Nations Strategy 2025-2030, aiming to ensure that the national intellectual property framework reflects and meets the needs of First Nations communities. 

If you would like to view the First Nations Strategy please follow this link.

Arts Law will continue to advocate and keep up to date with on-going arts developments across Australia. Updates will be made available through our website and our art+LAW newsletter.