This bill became law on Apr 11th, 2023.
Culture, sport & community
The Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. can now use the public name Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. while it carries out its work.
Implementing the National Cultural PolicyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. by 1 July 2023 and abolishing Creative Partnerships left gaps in the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions.'s powers and transfer arrangements. The bill lets the Council operate as Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions., take over Creative Partnerships' functions and assets, expand arts investment and workplace functions, and fund eligible corporations.
Australia already had the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. as the Commonwealth’s main arts body, but the Albanese government’s new national cultural policyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023., ReviveThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023., set a 1 July 2023 timetable that exposed the need to rename the body publicly, expand its functions and legally transfer Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. into it. This bill was the first legislative step in that rollout, giving the Council the powers to operate as Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions., take over Creative Partnerships’ functions and assets, widen arts investment and workplace roles, and then become law in April 2023.
The main criticism was that the bill mostly rebranded the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and folded Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. into it without enough new money, risking more bureaucracy and a weaker focus on attracting private arts philanthropy. These concerns were raised mainly by coalition speakers, with one outright opponent and others still backing the bill while describing the changes as modest or poorly targeted.
Hon Tony Burke MP introduced this bill. It passed on the voices.
Did it become law?
Yes
Became law 11 Apr 2023
Final passage
Passed without a counted vote
Members called out ‘aye’ or ‘no’ — no individual votes were recorded.
Passage speed
55 days
From introduction to the latest recorded parliamentary step
Meaning
The Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. can now use the public name Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. while it carries out its work.
Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. now has a clear job to bring in and recognise backing from government, business, donors and commercial investors for the arts.
Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. must also support fair, safe and respectful workplaces for Australian artists and people working in arts organisations.
Some incorporated businesses can now apply directly to Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. for financial help for eligible arts work.
Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. was shut down and its assets and liabilities were automatically transferred to the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions..
(3) The Council may conduct its operations under its full name or under the name “Creative Australia”.Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) as-passed bill text
(ea) to encourage, facilitate and recognise public sector, private sector, philanthropic and commercial support for, and investment in, the arts;Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) as-passed bill text
(eb) to promote fair, safe and respectful workplaces for Australian artists and persons working in organisations that engage in, or support, Australian arts practice;Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) as-passed bill text
(1) A constitutional corporation may apply to the Council for financial assistance.Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) as-passed bill text
(1) At the transition time, the assets and liabilities of Creative Partnerships Australia cease to be assets and liabilities of Creative Partnerships Australia and become assets and liabilities of the Australia Council without any conveyance, transfer or assignment.Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) as-passed bill text
Context
Australia already had the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. as the Commonwealth’s main arts body, but the Albanese government’s new national cultural policyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023., ReviveThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023., set a 1 July 2023 timetable that exposed the need to rename the body publicly, expand its functions and legally transfer Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. into it. This bill was the first legislative step in that rollout, giving the Council the powers to operate as Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions., take over Creative Partnerships’ functions and assets, widen arts investment and workplace roles, and then become law in April 2023.
Government launches the ReviveThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. national cultural policyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023.
The policy announcement set out early changes to recast the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. as Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and required key legislative elements to be in place by 1 July 2023.
Hansard ↗Government introduces the first ReviveThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. implementation bill
The minister said the bill would let the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. operate under the name Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. while expanding its functions and supporting the transfer of Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill..
Hansard ↗Parliament passes the bill
Both houses agreed to the bill, clearing the way for the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. to absorb Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. and directly fund some eligible incorporated entities.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act and makes the changes legally operative. finalises the Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. changes
Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act and makes the changes legally operative. turned the bill into law, locking in the transfer arrangements and updated powers needed for the government’s mid-2023 cultural policy timetable.
Parliamentary timeline ↗Legislative route
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Second reading debate
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Reported from Federation Chamber
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Introduced and read a first time
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Second reading moved
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Second reading agreed to
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Third reading agreed to
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Finally passed both Houses
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act and makes the changes legally operative., turning the bill into an Act.
Key criticism
The main criticism was that the bill mostly rebranded the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and folded Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. into it without enough new money, risking more bureaucracy and a weaker focus on attracting private arts philanthropy. These concerns were raised mainly by coalition speakers, with one outright opponent and others still backing the bill while describing the changes as modest or poorly targeted.
Criticism was real but limited; no party represented in debate mounted a broad case against the bill overall.
Too much rebranding, not enough practical change
Critics said the bill did little beyond renaming the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and rearranging functions, without delivering the scale of funding or direct frontline support artists and arts organisations need.
Merger could weaken arts philanthropy
Several speakers warned that abolishing Creative Partnerships AustraliaA former arts philanthropy body whose functions, assets and liabilities are transferred into the Australia Council under this bill. and absorbing it into the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. could dilute the specialist focus needed to build private and philanthropic support for the arts.
Further sources
Votes
The bill passed both chambers on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage.
House agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Senate agreed to the bill's third reading on the voices, so there is no list of individual Aye and No votes for final passage in that chamber.
Passed on the voices
In a voice vote, members call out Aye or No and the presiding officer judges which side has it. Individual names are only recorded if a formal division is called.
Parliamentary debate
Start here — lead voices
Mr Burke supports the bill, saying it is the first step in delivering the government's National Cultural PolicyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. and expanding the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. into Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions..
Read in Hansard ↗Violi opposes the bill, saying it mostly renames the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and does little to strengthen the arts sector.
Read in Hansard ↗Steggall supports the bill and commends it to the House, saying it is a major and long overdue step to reviveThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. and fund Australia’s arts and creative industries.
Read in Hansard ↗Le supports the bill and says the rebranding to Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. should help diversify an arts and culture sector that has neglected culturally diverse communities.
Read in Hansard ↗All speeches by bloc
10 speakers · 11 contributions · 10 support
“This Bill is introduced to amend the Australia Council Act 2013 to support the implementation of the Albanese Government's new National Cultural Policy—Revive. The Bill will allow the Australia Council to operate under the name Creative Australia, and expand its functions to support the upcoming establishment of the Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces, Music Australia, Writers Australia and the First Nations First body. This Bill delivers on our election commitment to transfer the functions of Creative Partnerships Australia to the Australia Council.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill takes the first step in the strengthening and the modernisation of the Australia Council for the Arts. These reforms will amount to the most significant changes to the organisation in its history.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I encourage all in this place to support it.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I rise to speak in support of the Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Bill 2023 and of the arts in Australia. It has been a very tough few years for the arts in Australia, with the pandemic and before that the Black Summer bushfires and a decade of coalition cuts, so I'm very pleased to be standing here today with good news for the vibrant and innovative arts sector.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“We believe very strongly that Australia should be a place that makes things. As I said, we should make songs, stories, plays, screen drama, documentaries—all kinds of performance and all kinds of visual arts. It's essential to who we are, and it is among the best things that we get to experience. The people who produce it are among the most important people in our society. They're not valued enough; we should value them more. We've begun on that path with Revive, but there's a lot more to do, and I welcome this bill.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This legislative reform is part of a series of legislative reforms that will be there to implement our national cultural policy. We are amending the Australia Council Act, and, while many will be familiar with the name 'the Australia Council', it has had a strong profile in the arts sector and more broadly. But let's go back and go through some of the history of the Australia Council. The Australia Council was the principal Commonwealth arts investment and advisory body since 1975. For nearly half a century, it has been supporting and promoting creative arts practice throughout the country and across all disciplines of the arts. It also provides research and advocacy on issues that affect the sector. For this, it has been recognised nationally and internationally. We want to ensure that the work of the Australia Council continues and is enhanced for the changing and evolving nature of our arts sector so that it is strong and supported for the next 50 years, so we're going to modernise, strengthen and rename the Australia Council. It will be known as 'Creative Australia'.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“This bill is an important component that will be a part of forging that vision and facilitating an upward trajectory. It will give effect to elements of Revive that are required to be in place by July 2023, one of which includes Creative Australia becoming the new business name for the Australia Council.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“It is so important that we work together to ensure, across our government and the opposition, that we get this bill through parliament. It is going to make a huge difference.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm so proud to support this bill today.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Tony Burke on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Minister's second reading speech
Mr Burke supports the bill, saying it is the first step in delivering the government's National Cultural PolicyThe government policy this bill is meant to help deliver, including the changes needed by 1 July 2023. and expanding the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. into Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions.. He says it will strengthen arts funding and bring key new functions and transfers into one body so the reforms can start on 1 July.
“This bill delivers on our election commitment to transfer the functions of Creative Partnerships Australia to the Australia Council.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
Mr Burke supports the bill and commends it to the parliament, saying it is the first step in creating Creative AustraliaThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and a broader new cultural policy framework. He also notes that later legislation will follow to establish the other parts of the package.
“All that legislation is to come, but the first step is the legislation before us now. I thank everybody for their contributions and commend the bill to parliament.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 5 contributions · 2 support · 1 oppose · 1 unclear
“I conclude, therefore, by indicating that the coalition will be supporting this bill, but we do note that, first of all, it's a very modest set of measures, very modest indeed. Secondly, there are reasons to be sceptical as to whether the merger of the Australia Council and Creative Partnerships Australia will be successful or whether, in fact, it will have the consequence of a reduction in the effectiveness with which private sector dollars are attracted to support arts activities.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I will move on, after congratulating Josh and Anya, to the bill that rebrands the Australia Council as Creative Australia as a result of the government's decision to transfer the functions of Creative Partnerships Australia to the Australia Council. Creative Partnerships Australia was established 10 years ago with the aim of attracting more philanthropic funding for the arts, and it has operated successfully ever since, yet the first thing Tony Burke did when he came into government was to abolish the agency. This bill is being promoted as implementing the government's national cultural policy, but in reality it doesn't do very much. Labor promised its national cultural policy would transform our arts sector, yet its policy is long on rhetoric and rather thin on specifics, and they fail to back it with serious funding support.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“There is a risk at the moment that we're really adding more bureaucracy rather than more support. Some of the bureaucracies that are being created are the Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces, Music Australia, Writers Australia and the First Nations body. These bodies will be critical in building partnerships, and their expertise will be important, but we do have to question whether this is more funding for middle management and not really more funding for the frontline arts sector, which needs it most.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Hansard records 2 separate contributions by Zoe McKenzie on this bill. They are grouped here so the speaker is listed once.
Second reading speech
McKenzie is sceptical of the bill, saying the merger would absorb a highly effective and independent arts philanthropy body into the Australia CouncilThe national arts body that this bill changes, so it can also operate under the public name Creative Australia and take on extra functions. and that the change offers little benefit for her electorate. She does not clearly commit to backing the bill and instead stresses that the council has not handled philanthropic work successfully in the past.
“The sector has benefited enormously from their independence from the government's funding priorities and processes. In addition, they have provided a vital and impartial source of advice to the sector, with a local presence in most capital cities.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
Second reading speech
McKenzie says the bill brings arts philanthropy and public funding together in ways that may not fit well, and warns that losing a dedicated philanthropic body could weaken private support for the arts. She does not clearly state whether she will back or oppose the bill.
“In essence, the great loss from this change will be the disappearance of a dedicated entity focused on the delicate and—for many in the public sector—the sometimes daunting task of philanthropy. The transfer will bring together private arts philanthropy and public arts funding within the one entity, the cultures of which are quite distinct and not always compatible.”Read this contribution in Hansard ↗
2 speakers · 2 support
“I rise to speak to on the Australia Council Amendment (Creative Australia) Bill 2023 today, a piece of legislation that the Greens will be supporting. But I want to put on the record first up just how long the Australian arts community and creative industry has waited for a proper cultural policy in this country.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I'm glad to see some recognition of the crucial role the arts play in our economy and to the health and wellbeing of our society—to the tune of $286 million in funding. However, this pales in comparison to the $11 billion a year we spend to subsidise the profits of the fossil fuel industry, especially when you consider the massive $15 billion the arts and entertainment industry contributes to the Australian economy every year and the almost 200,000 Australians it employs.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
4 speakers · 4 support
“In the wake of years of funding cuts to the arts and creative industries, this bill is incredibly welcome. It's been welcomed by the industry. It's a major step forward. I congratulate the government for acknowledging the importance of the arts in Australian life by introducing the Creative Australia bill, and I commend the bill to the House.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Therefore, I support the government's programs that will be implemented under the rebranding of the Australia Council to diversify an arts and culture scene that neglects to recognise and support our community.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“Creative Australia will, in addition to the Australia Council's existing functions, establish a Centre for Arts and Entertainment Workplaces, as well as Music Australia, Writers Australia and the First Nations first body. This will provide direct support to these sectors so they can continue to grow. The new Creative Australia is part of the government's major national cultural and arts policies they're rolling out, which they're calling 'Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place'.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
“I support this bill. It provides a platform on which to recognise the contribution of arts to our society and the way in which greater investment will allow all artistic pursuits, irrespective of origin or size or flourish. I would just say to the government: don't forget the communities and please don't forget regional arts.”Read the full speech in Hansard ↗
Record
House · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
House · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
House · Referred to Federation Chamber
Referred to Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
House · Reported from Federation Chamber
Reported from Federation Chamber
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
House · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Senate · Introduced and read a first time
Introduced
The bill was formally presented to the chamber and read a first time, which starts its parliamentary journey.
Senate · Second reading moved
Second reading opened
A minister or sponsoring member moved the second reading, opening the main debate on the bill's purpose and principles.
Senate · Second reading debate
Second reading debate
The bill reached this recorded parliamentary step.
Senate · Second reading agreed to
Second reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at second reading, meaning it accepted the bill in principle and allowed it to continue.
Senate · Third reading agreed to
Third reading agreed
The chamber agreed to the bill at third reading, which completed passage through that chamber.
Parliament · Finally passed both Houses
Passed both houses
Both houses passed the bill in the same form, completing parliamentary passage.
Assent · Assent
Assent
The Governor-General gave Royal AssentThe final step that turns the bill into an Act and makes the changes legally operative., turning the bill into an Act.
