The Labor government’s much-anticipated National Cultural Policy was officially launched on 30 January, introducing a raft of sweeping organisational changes and new funding initiatives.

Referring to the “calculated neglect” during the previous decade, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said that “the arts cannot be left to those who can afford to do it”.

Dane Lam conducting the HSO. Photo © Hawai‘i Symphony Orchestra

Under a $286m plan called Revive, the Australia Council for the Arts is to be rebranded Creative Australia, and will receive almost two-thirds of the new funding. Charged with expanding and modernising the work of the Australia Council, Creative Australia will serve as the government’s principal arts investment and advisory body. Four new bodies will be established within it.

They include a First Nations-led body giving Indigenous people autonomy over decisions and investment, while Music Australia will be charged with investing in the Australian contemporary music industry. Writers Australia will support writers and illustrators to create new works, and a Centre for Arts Workplaces will be established in order to maintain and enforce standards for safe workplaces in Australia’s arts and entertainment sector. It will also be equipped with...