Burke Makes First Moves As Arts Minister

Australia's new Federal Arts Minister Tony Burke has stressed an eagerness to implement the National Cultural Policy which was announced by Simon Crean before he was stripped of the portfolio.

It was announced yesterday that he will add the Arts role to his portfolio and he told theMusic.com.au, “The cultural policy was announced a fortnight ago and it's government policy, none of that changes. I think it is a great policy that Simon should be very proud of and I view it as quite an honour to be able to implement it. I want to get moving on the implementation of if.”

Sounds Australia's National Live Music Coordinator Ianto Ware told theMusic today, “It's great to see Tony Burke hitting the ground running with a commitment to the National Cultural Policy and immediately running forums to connect with those of us working within the arts and creative fields. It is certainly promising to see him citing an interest in these areas within hours of taking up the Arts portfolio.”

Ware said he was, “Eager to continue working with the Federal government to foster further activity in reforming regulatory issues impacting on venues, and to foster further discussion about audience and sector development within the Australian music scene.

Burke – who is the member for outer Sydney electorate Watson – has organised three functions over the next three days to start discussions on the policy's implementation. Alongside new Parliamentary Secretary For The Arts Michael Danby, he will hold the events in Melbourne today, Canberra and Sydney tomorrow.