4183.0 - Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2001-02  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/07/2003   
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MEDIA RELEASE

July 28, 2003
Embargoed 11:30am (AEST)
75/2003

Government spending on culture continues to rise

Government funding for cultural activities rose to $4.7 billion in 2001-02, up $238.8m or 5% since 2000-01, according to figures released today by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

The increase in funding translated to an average of $238.60 (up $9.34 per person since 2000-01) for every person in Australia.

At $2,215.2m (or 47%) in 2001-02, the state and territory governments contributed the most funds to cultural activities.

While funding by other levels of government has fallen between 2000-01 and 2001-02, state and territory governments increased spending on cultural activities by 16% or $297.8m.

Major beneficiaries from state and territory government funding increases were art museums up 87% ($82.1m) and performing arts venues with a 73% jump (up $68.2m to $161.7m).

The Commonwealth Government provided $1,619.6m or 35% of the total cultural funding by government. Broadcasting and film received more than half ($914.0m) of the total funding provided, an increase of $52.6m since 2000-01.

In 2001-02, overall Commonwealth Government funding fell 2%. This was mainly due to reduced funding for museums (down $79.5m) and community cultural activities (down $28.6m).

Local government funding for cultural activities fell 4% to $841.9m in 2001-02. Only local councils in the Northern Territory recorded an increase in spending of $0.7m.

In 2001-02, Western Australia's local councils allocated more funding per person ($63.01) than the average of $42.95 per person.

Further information is in Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2001-02 (cat. no. 4183.0).