|
The Cultural Ministers Council (CMC) is the Ministerial forum for the
exchange of views on issues affecting cultural activities in Australia
and New Zealand and the basis for cooperative effort of cultural benefit
to citizens of Australian States and Territories and New Zealand.
The CMC was established in 1984-85 by agreement between the Prime Minister,
the Premiers and the Chief Minister of the Northern Territory. (The ACT
became a full member of the Council in 1990 following self-government.)
The Council's most notable achievements have been through:
- the commissioning of studies and investigations through the appointment
of working or advisory groups and/or through the appointment of consultants;
- the co-ordination of programs and the dissemination of information
relating to cultural development across Australian governments; and
- advocacy, through its communiqués or by statements made by
the Chair on behalf of the Council.
In August 2000, CMC Ministers confirmed their agreement to a funding
package for the major performing arts companies, with the Commonwealth
to provide a total of $45 million over four years, and the States to provide
$25 million over the same period. Ministers reached agreement on each
of the Major Performing Arts Inquiry Final Report's (Nugent Report) 95
recommendations.
The CMC works with the Australian International Cultural Council set
up by the Foreign Minister in February 1998, to devise a series of rolling
three-year strategic plans for overseas cultural promotion and export.
The success of all of these activities can be directly attributed to Council's
ability to provide a national overview. Through the CMC, all governments
can adopt a coordinated approach to the recognition and management of
Australia's significant cultural assets.
|
