4183.0 - Cultural Funding, Australia, 1998-99  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 03/08/2000   
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MEDIA RELEASE

August 3, 2000
Embargoed 11:30am (AEST)
97/2000

Funding for culture on the up

Government funding for cultural activities continues to grow, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).

In 1998-99 total funding for cultural activities by Commonwealth, State, Territory and local governments increased by 6 per cent to $3,750 million compared with the previous financial year.

State and Territory governments provided 46 per cent of all government cultural funding in 1998-99 and also increased their contribution by 16 per cent compared with the previous financial year. The Commonwealth Government contributed 34 per cent of total funding and its contribution increased by 1 per cent compared to the previous year. Local government provided the remaining 20 per cent with a fall of 3 per cent in its contribution.

Overall government funding for culture amounted to $199 for every person in Australia in 1998-99, up $9 from the previous year. The State and Territory governments provided the bulk of this funding at just over $92 per person, the Commonwealth contributed nearly $67 while local government provided nearly $40 for each person.

Libraries and archives were the biggest recipients, receiving $756 million with nearly 55 per cent coming from local government.

Other large recipients of funds included national parks and wildlife services ($709 million) and radio and television broadcasting ($685 million). State and Territory governments provided 90 per cent of funding for national parks and wildlife services, while the Commonwealth was the main supporter of radio and television broadcasting, contributing over 99 per cent of all funding.

Further details are available in Cultural Funding, Australia 1998/99 (cat. no. 4183.0) available from ABS bookshops. The main findings can be found on this site. If you wish to purchase a copy of this publication, contact the ABS Bookshop in your capital city.