Transcript:

Ms PAYNE (Canberra) (11:05): Over the recent holiday period, most of us would have taken the opportunity to enjoy the arts and cultural sector and all it has to offer. It may have been a visit to the theatre. It might have been taking your kids to the cinema, streaming your favourite TV series, catching a live gig or visiting one of Canberra's iconic museums and galleries. Regardless of our background or wealth, nearly all of us appreciate and engage with the sector. We know that creative activities and experiences are essential to our mental health and wellbeing, which was particularly evident through the pandemic. As Creative Australia's Creating our future: results of national arts participation survey 2023 points out, most of us agree that the arts make for a richer and more meaningful life.

Yet, despite our natural appreciation of the arts and cultural sector, it was left devastated after 10 years of funding cuts under the previous coalition government. The small to medium sector of innovative arts and cultural organisations was hit particularly hard. The sector's challenges were compounded throughout the pandemic, especially those in live performance and public exhibition. Since the pandemic, response policies were lifted and borders reopened, and household spending and business conditions have improved. And I'm proud to say that one of the first things our government did, under the leadership of the arts minister, Tony Burke, was, after a lost decade a federal policy drift and funding neglect, to release its national cultural policy, Revive, a five-year plan to revive the arts in Australia. Revive seeks to empower our talented artist and arts organisations to thrive and grow, unlock new opportunities and reach new audiences. I'm also proud that our government has provided funding to Canberra organisations in the arts as well, including the Canberra Symphony Orchestra, and for the redevelopment of Gorman House.

However, the recovery continues with many in the sector still struggling, and I was devastated to learn just before Christmas that the Canberra Youth Theatre will be cutting staff and closing programs this year due to funding challenges and rising costs. The theatre has been instrumental to young artists for over 50 years, providing opportunities for young people to be creative and develop their artistic skills. It's something I've spoken about with the artistic director and CEO, Luke Rogers, over many years. I've had the pleasure to attend some of their rehearsals and to meet with some of the young people. I was blown away by the talent and enthusiasm of these young people.

My understanding is that the Canberra Youth Theatre also write their own work, and they have had incredible success, which has been recognised nationally. However, they are doing it tough at the moment. When, usually, Canberrans enjoy numerous productions from the theatre, sadly they will not be able to deliver those this year. They will continue delivering some of their courses. But this is a really significant blow to the young people who want to be involved in theatre, and it's a significant loss to our whole community.

The benefits of the arts to youth and community cannot be underestimated. Revered youth theatre artistic director Carol Woodrow AM has emphasised the inherent value of youth arts. She understands that, while many kids are never going to be professional actors, it is an important opportunity for children to release their imagination, to learn about themselves and the world and to develop self-confidence. I've seen that. I've heard from families about the incredible impact that it has had on their children, developing their confidence, which they've then used in other parts of their schooling. It's clear to me, from talking with Luke and meeting with the young people, that this is where many young people really find their place. It's so important for them.

It's really important that we consider youth arts as equally important as mainstream arts. It's not just about the pipeline of the next brilliant Australian actors, performers, writers and other artists. It's also about the intrinsic value of young people and giving them these opportunities. We want to be a society that fosters this, because if we don't continue it now we will lose that next generation of great Australian actors that we come to know and love, and the great Australian productions. We all want to hear Australian stories told. I do hope youth arts is something that will be taken seriously.