The CPSU has today welcomed the Albanese Labor Government’s $535 million commitment to Australia’s National Cultural Institutions, stating that this cash injection and long-term certainty over funding will put the institutions on the path to recovery.

The CPSU has long fought for sustainable and long-term funding to replace the uncertain and short-term funding models that have white anted NCIs for so long.

Budget measures imposed by former Coalition governments forced Australia’s NCIs into an awful state of disrepair, which saw staffing numbers cut, job insecurity skyrocket, capital works become almost non-existent and hard-working staff having trying to hold things together, rather than allow their rich collections to be fully shared and celebrated.

Over the past decade, the CPSU has fought for our NCIs to be protected and prioritised by governments, and the shift in attitudes that came with a change in government could not be clearer.

The Albanese Labor Government values our NCIs and the work they do, but failing to remove the efficiency divided and questions around staffing caps leaves a degree of uncertainty in place and exposes them to the actions of future governments.

Uncertainty exists where the financial gain that should come from indexation can be eroded by the efficiency dividend, resulting in overall funding increases falling below CPI.

To future-proof our NCIs and ensure that they are sustainable and accessible for generations to come across Australia, the CPSU will continue to advocate for the removal of the efficiency dividend.

Quotes attributable to Beth Vincent-Pietsch, CPSU Deputy Secretary:

“Making the financial insecurity of our NCIs something that governments must address has been a long and hard fight that the CPSU has taken up for more than a decade now.

“Budget measures and sporadic funding arrangements imposed by Former Coalition governments forced Australia’s NCIs into an awful state of disrepair, which saw staffing numbers cut, job insecurity skyrocket, and capital works become almost non-existent.

“They have always deserved better than that.

“The Government’s announcement today is a win for the CPSU, for our dedicated and passionate members who work in our NCIs and for the generations of people who will benefit from the valuable role our NCIs can now continue to play in collecting and protecting Australian stories.

“The refusal of the government to remove the efficiency dividend does leave a degree of uncertainty in place and exposes the NCIs unnecessarily to potential actions of future governments.

“The CPSU is committed to future-proofing these institutions and so will continue to advocate for the efficiency dividend to be removed.

Media contact: Tori McGregor 0429 000 620