Mitch Fifield Abolishes Arts Fund Catalyst Under Tony Abbotts Government After Negative Feedback

The Australia Federal Government will abolish the controversial arts fund Catalyst established under Tony Abbott's government, after its general condemnation from the arts community. The national program for excellence in the art was originated by an Australian Senator and former arts minister, George Brandis with $105m from the Australia Council.

But the direct control over the public funding of art project was given to the art minister, which caused artists to spread out issues, rumors and even accuse the government of political involvement. On The Guardian's report, it was mentioned that Bill Shorten, the opposition leader, Jason Clare, communication spokes person and Mark Dreyfus, the art's spokesman recount Catalyst as a "ministerial slush fund."

The fund gained more than $100 million from the Australian council for four years around. Its budget has the approximate number of 15 percent and 60 to the two lower sized of art organizations gone their funding, as ABC reported.

Moreover, Mark Dreyfus didn't enjoy the idea of the art minister to abolish the fund and thought it was just a turning point to "compromised the independence of arts." To clean up the mess in a previous way of governing and managing the fund, in a statement of the recent art minister, Mitch Fifield mentioned the return of $80.2m to the Australia Council for the next four years.

The decision of Mitch Fifield to abolish the fund was to give importance to their reputation after hearing the negative feedback from the arts community. He also added in his statement that the innovation of the fund will help out by Australia Council by "addressing specific recommendations" from the Operate Review about the Victorian & Queensland Opera and the continual of the Queensland Ballet and the Brandenburg Orchestra.

Mitch Fifield also reassured that his department will retain $2m a year to produce funds for other organizations that are not assisted by Australia Council. Meanwhile, the Visions of Australia and Festivals Australia will continue to operate by the department and the Catalyst programs will produce $35m to 189 projects to arts and culture sector but the majority money was given to two lower sized of organizations.

TagsAustralia Federal Government, Controversial Arts Fund Catalyst, Tony Abbott's Governancy, The National Program for Excellence in the Art, George Brandis, Australia Council, Mitch Fifield