LNP Pledges 10% Cut To Creative Australia Funding

On the eve of the 2025 federal election day, the Liberal/National Coalition (LNP) finally outlined its arts policy, which proposed a 10% cut to Creative Australia’s funding.

The LNP has pledged that if they win the election today, they will slash Creative Australia's funding by $33.2 million in 2025-26 – a 10.65% cut to its annual funding of $318 million.

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Instead, the LNP plans to redirect those funds towards the planned new arts and cultural centre, the Melbourne Jewish Arts Quarter, which will be located in Elsternwick, and “supporting broadcasting.” When a representative of the LNP was asked to define what the policy meant by “supporting broadcasting,” they did not clarify.

“The Coalition prefers to fund art rather than arts bureaucracy,” a Coalition spokesperson said (per The Guardian). “So, we will redirect some funding from Creative Australia towards Coalition priorities in the arts.”

Creative Australia – renamed from being called the Australia Council – is the federal government’s main arts investment and advisory body. It champions music and the arts by Australian creatives.

In a statement, Greens arts spokesperson Senator Sarah Hanson-Young condemned the LNP’s proposed cuts.

“It is an absolute disgrace that the Liberals’ only plan for the arts is a big cut to funding,” she said. “The arts contribute $112bn to our economy, and our artists and workers in the creative industries deserve better.

“We know from the last time that they were in government, the Liberals will cut arts funding and attack artistic freedom.”

Labor has pledged $18 million for the new Melbourne Jewish Arts Quarter, which the LNP previously matched.

If Labor wins the election, it has promised to recommit to Music Australia, which sits under the Creative Australia umbrella, and its Revive Live program, which Arts Minister Tony Burke pledged an additional $16.4 million to Australian live music venues and festivals.

The initiative was introduced last year with $8.6 million for venues and festivals. With the additional $16.4 million, Labor has brought its total pledge for live music to $25 million, allowing for infrastructure upgrades, programming, professional development programs, accessibility projects, and the creation of new touring circuits.

Tony Burke said: “Venues and festivals are under huge pressure at the moment. The Albanese Labor Government established Revive Live because music lovers should be able to enjoy local gigs, and artists should be able to make a career out of their music.

“Venue and festival owners across Australia have told me that Revive Live has provided the support they need to continue hosting and promoting live music. Gigs have always been a huge part of my life. I know the vital role live music venues and festivals play in providing local artists with the chance to perform, develop and grow audiences.”