Chrissie Maus GAICD, FAMI

The Albanese Labor Government has delivered on our commitment to support First Nations arts and the Australian literature sector with new legislation passed by Parliament today. The Creative Australia Amendment (Implementation of Revive) Bill 2024 continues our Government’s reinvigoration of the arts by establishing First Nations Arts and Writing Australia. These two new parts of Creative Australia will invest in and grow First Nations arts practice and Australia’s literature sector – delivering on commitments in Revive, Australia’s national cultural policy. First Nations Arts and Writing Australia will sit alongside Creative Workplaces and Music Australia, both of which are already up and running and delivering support for Australian artists, arts workers and organisations. The creation of First Nations Arts recognises the crucial place of First Nations stories at the centre of Australia’s arts and culture. Self-determination is important – it means supporting First Nations artists and organisations to tell their stories. First Nations Arts, together with its governing First Nations Board, will allow for autonomy over investment decisions and enhance opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers. Writing Australia will provide greater investment and support to our writers, illustrators and publishers, who have been historically overlooked and underfunded. That changes now. First Nations Arts will receive up to $52 million for First Nations Arts over the next four years from 2024-25 to support and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts practice, enhance sustainable career pathways for young First Nations people in the arts and increase opportunities to grow First Nations audiences. It will be overseen by the First Nations Board, which will allocate funds to support and invest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and promote best practice in First Nations cultural protocols and principles. Writing Australia will receive over $26 million for Writing Australia over three years from 2025-26 to strengthen the Australian literature sector and develop further markets and audiences, here and overseas. Through targeted investment and the development of national industry initiatives, it will increase opportunities for authors, illustrators and publishers to create new works, tell new stories and establish a poet laureate for Australia. It will be overseen by the Writing Australia Council. First Nations Arts will commence later in 2024. Expressions of interest for the First Nations Board are now open and can be submitted at the attached link. Writing Australia will commence on 1 July 2025.

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The System is Broken: Young people need unconditional love and positive regard. That’s the title of our collective policy piece from today’s Jobs Australia Ltd Youth Forum! It was an incredible privilege to present alongside sector leaders Eóin Killackey, Gina Chinnery, Sam Barrett, Larissa Daniel & of course MC'd by the one and only Ben Vasiliou where we discussed the multi-layered challenges young people face today. The issues we tackled are complex, but the solutions are within reach. By working collaboratively, we can ensure that today’s young people have the chance to build fulfilling, secure lives. Together, we can create systems that will support this generation and those to come, preventing young Australians from being the first to face a poorer standard of living than their parents.

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While the festival industry is awaiting findings of a review of the Music Festivals Act promised by NSW Arts Minister John Graham, who has acknowledged the shortage in affordable outdoor festival spaces locally and pressures internationally on the festival industry. Article in the SMH by Linda Morris 🎶 With Sydney's festival scene facing rising costs and space limitations, it's crucial to rethink how we support these events. At The Mandala Social, we believe in replacing temporary infrastructure with permanent structures like hard stands, plumbing, and high-capacity public facilities. This strategic planning could free up restricted budgets, challenge the status quo, and elevate creativity, leading to better user experiences and a far greater ROI. It not just the inner city parklands that need addressing its our greater Sydney and especially Western Sydney Parklands that need addressing. Looking at you magnificent Parramatta Park. Let's hope this review sparks positive changes for the future of Sydney's festivals! #SupportLocalArts #FestivalFuture #SydneyMusicScene #theMandalaSocial #criticalthinking #creativityandinnovation https://lnkd.in/gyV8AWcG

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Last night the Australian Government handed down the Federal Budget for 2024-25. In the days prior there had already been some announcements of additional investment for the arts and culture sector, including $117.2 million over four years for the national performing arts training organisations (Arts8) and Australian Film, Television and Radio School, as well as $5.2 million over four years for the Canberra and Darwin symphony orchestras. Last night's announcement included new investments for First Nations language centres, the Australian Children's Television Foundation, the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia, and Revive Live (to support Australian live music venues and festivals). The Government also announced $2.9m over four years for initiatives to support people with disability to access and participate in the creative arts, on top of the $5m already committed for this in 2023-24 as a part of Revive. Total government spending on arts and cultural heritage peaks in 2024-25 at $2.14b, and then declines steadily to $1.85b by 2027-28. This is primarily due to increased investment in Australian Screen Production Incentives and Digital Game Production Offset programs in 2023–24 and 2024–25 and a reduction in funding for the Location Incentive Program over the five years from 2023–24 to 2027–28. TNA welcomes the new investment in our national training institutions and the additional commitment to support disabled peoples' access and participation, both of which will contribute to a healthier arts ecology. As the Albanese Government continues to address the parts of the sector that remain at risk through considered and strategic investment, TNA urges it to prioritise performing arts organisations and independents. Our sector persists in contributing to Australia's cultural capital, economy, liveability, and wellbeing, while struggling with rising costs, poor working conditions, workforce shortages, and burnout. More details here: https://lnkd.in/ddJZQCNX

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No matter what century or decade it is, in order to thrive not just survive in Business today there are certain things a small business should consider.

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Still confused? Here's a brief explainer covering how, and why, Independents for Canberra operates as a 'party of independents': https://lnkd.in/gi7eWx9z

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Fight Club rules may govern the committee's discussions, but regardless of the outcome, it's great to see the WA Innovation inquiry getting attention and highlighting the positive conversations so far! Thanks to Brandon How from InnovationAus.com for the insightful article

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This week I was fortunate to be invited to the Queensland Child Protection Advocacy group, where two great things happened.   Great Thing One (GTO) - I met with renowned author and OAM recipient Tess Rowley! Great Thing Two (GTT)- I heard from Professor Kerryann Walsh, from QUT, on Effective Child Protection Training.   More about GTO -  I had the pleasure to meet Kevin from the Pyjama Foundation and Tess Rowley, author and OAM recipient for her work in child protection, thanks to Key Assets (Australia) partnership with Tess on her story ‘The Odd Socks’ (pic below). The Odd Socks is about inclusion and diversity, showing that the world is a great place when we appreciate each other's differences. I can’t wait to read this book to my little one. If you want to learn more, check out our webpage and purchase one too, with funds going toward supporting our foster caring community: https://lnkd.in/gvrN9A86   More about GTT-  Professor Kerryann spoke about her years of research in effective training methodologies in child protection. It was very interesting to learn that across many workplaces many different training modes and methods are implemented but limited understanding or research into their effectiveness has been conducted (I’m looking at you e-learning modules!!)  Insights from overseas demonstrates role-play, presentations and activities that involve interaction AND that are taken over the course of more than 6months are good ways to increase learning and skills retention. However, these typically cost more and therefore not as frequently offered. Some very valuable takeaways that I will share with my team to better understand the different characteristics of effective training!

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Digital Parenting by Government Decree: A Step Forward or a Leap Back? Our Managing Partner and Director, Thomas Jreige, dives deep into the Albanese Government’s proposal to ban social media for under-16s. On the surface, it might seem like a bold step to protect young Australians online, but is this really about safeguarding kids—or just a quick political win? In his latest article, Thomas breaks down why this policy feels like closing the barn door after the horse bolted (by about 25 years). He highlights how banning platforms could drive kids underground into more dangerous, unregulated digital spaces. But more than that, he questions whether this one-size-fits-all approach is the right solution or just a rushed attempt to appease. This isn’t just about kids and social media—it’s about defining the problem, empowering parents with tools, and fostering thoughtful, flexible solutions. Don’t miss Thomas’ take on the unintended consequences of blanket bans and how we can truly create a safer digital space. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gf_iap4b #DigitalParenting #CyberSecurity #SocialMediaPolicy #SafeDigitalSpaces #TechLeadership

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SUBMISSIONS EXTENDED: First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group has extended the Call for Submissions for the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap, until Friday 19th July, 2024. FNDIAG launched its discussion paper supporting the work of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Roadmap, with simplified discussion papers now available in English, Eastside Kriol, Kimberly Kriol, Pitjantjatjara and Yolngu Matha. The Advisory Group is seeking feedback on how government and industry can better support First Nations people to access the internet and media they need to make decisions about their lives and communities. FNDIAG was established in 2023 to support a national priority in Closing the Gap in digital inclusion for First Nations Australians, with the first report of the Advisory Group, released in October 2023. YOUR SUBMISSIONS FNDIAG seek feedback on key considerations that should be included in a long-term roadmap outlining the path towards First Nations digital inclusion. Your submissions may include feedback on: - the ability for First Nations people to access the internet - the affordability of internet services for First Nations people - the ability for First Nations people to get online and use the internet safely - the appropriateness of government and industry services and products for First Nations people the sustainability of the First Nations media and broadcasting sector - consumer protections for First Nations Australians with respect to telecommunications - the use and application of new technologies in remote contexts - data on digital inclusion - other concerns/issues in the digital inclusion, broadcasting and media spaces HAVE YOUR SAY To provide your feedback and view the work of the First Nations Digital Inclusion Advisory Group, including the discussion paper supporting submissions, please visit: https://lnkd.in/gqpXRYwA https://lnkd.in/eHuqM-qc SUBMISSIONS CLOSE: Friday 19th July, 2024

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Embolden's response to the State Budget: South Australia’s Royal Commission into domestic, family and sexual violence commences in July and will give our state a blueprint for transformative change that targets investment where it will have the most impact; across prevention, early intervention, crisis response, recovery and healing. The domestic, family and sexual violence services sector has always been clear that we need both a Royal Commission and urgent funding for crisis domestic and family violence services. The State Budget did not deliver this. In the context of significant national media attention on domestic and family violence, our crisis services are seeing big increases in demand and this is expected to grow further with the Royal Commission and coercive control legislation in South Australia. It is really important that anyone needing help and support is not deterred from contacting services but the reality is that one in five calls to the statewide Domestic Violence Crisis Line go unanswered. Without additional funding for crisis responses, some South Australians experiencing violence will not get the support they need. Read Embolden's full media release on the 2024-25 State Budget here: https://lnkd.in/ghTmEeP9

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Do you know someone who would benefit from these scholarships? See details below

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The program is interesting.

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It might be October this year.... ...or March next year.... ...or in between.... But whenever the next General Election occurs, if you want your industry, sector and charity/NGO to heard by policy makers in October and by the next government, you should right now be preparing your submission to #Budget2025, your election manifesto and you public affairs campaign. For a free consultation just email [email protected] #FineGael #FiannaFail #SinnFein #Labour #GreenParty #Aontu #SocialDemocrats #IndependentIreland #LE2024 #EE2024 #GE2024 #GE2025 #Budget2025 #Pharmaceuticals #FinancialServices #Food #Biden #Trump #EUcompetitivenesspolicy #EUUKTrade #Irelandcorporationtax #FDI #IDA #EUCommission #politicalstability #GovernmentAffairs #Regulation #Lobbying #PolicyAdvocacy #PublicPolicy #BudgetaryPolicy #PublicAffairs #2024Elections #USElection2024 #EuropeanElections2024 #UKElections2024 #IrishElections2024 #GovernmentRelations #PoliticalStrategists #PublicAffairsDirectors #GovernmentDirectors #PoliticalAdvisors #PolicyMakers #PublicPolicyExperts

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New data on domestic and international travellers who attended theatre, concerts or other performing arts was created by the team at Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade)’s Tourism Research Australia to support our evidence at the Australian Parliamentary Committee inquiry in Live Music. The TRA analysis indicates the number of domestic travellers attending theatre, concerts or other performing arts follows a seasonal pattern with peaks generally in summer months and troughs in the winter. Attendance dropped off significantly through the COVID period but began to recover from early 2022. The number of domestic travellers attending theatre, concerts or other performing arts in March quarter 2024 was 2.5 million and this was was 17% higher than the number in March quarter 2019 (pre-COVID). In 2023, 652,000 international visitors attended theatre, concerts or other performing arts. This was 87% of the number in 2019 (pre-pandemic) and 10% of all international trips in 2023. The number of international visitors in the March quarter of 2024 of 257k was 8% higher than the number in March quarter of 2019. Australian live music and arts performance are clearly valued by our international travellers. When planning for travellers or our own trips - consider how you can include live performances to enhance the experience. #Tourism #Travel #Australia #LiveMusic #Theatre #Arts #Data #PerformingArts #FirstNations Creative Australia Australian Tourism Export Council

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Thanks Alison Croggon for sharing this. We need to hear the ways to find real living wages for artists and in the meantime while we look at big systems. We also have to look at the small structures in existing systems too. The grant making structures that think that a 9% funding rate is a thing that is supporting excellence- it’s a number demonstrating wasted effort, despair and in economic terms lost productivity. Also structures that count artists subsidising their own work as “investment” when we know the market doesn’t financially return on that investment so what we mean is underpayment. And that’s only where the work intersects with grant structures - then there’s all the other disruption and market concentration… but looking forward to hearing this information.

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