Nine musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) made their presence felt in the corridors of power in Canberra at the opening of the Federal Parliament on Tuesday 4 February.

Welcomed in Question Time by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Hon. Milton Dick MP, the ensemble also delivered an Open Letter to Minister for the Arts Tony Burke and Senator Claire Chandler (Opposition Spokesperson for the Arts) and Senator Sarah Hanson-Young (Greens Spokesperson for the Arts) on behalf of over 700 of Australia’s leading composers and performing artists.

The letter calls on a future Government to provide necessary funding to ensure a secure home for ANAM at South Melbourne Town Hall, which it plans to reoccupy in 2026 after completion of significant restoration works to the building.

“We urge the Australian government to commit to provide the necessary $12.5m funding over three years – adding to ANAM’s already secured $28m – that will facilitate the realisation of [architect] Peter Elliott’s elegant vision for this beautiful but broken building,” said the letter.

“In addition to nourishing the [Federal seat of] Macnamara community, a renewed South Melbourne Town Hall will enable ANAM to continue to enrich the vibrancy, strength and...