GOVERNMENTS PROVIDE $5.6b CULTURAL FUNDING
The latest edition of Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2006–07 (cat. no. 4183.0) was released on the ABS website in August 2007. The publication contains estimates of the three levels of public government funding for arts and cultural activities, facilities and services across three years from 2004-05 to 2006-07.
Some key points from the publication include:
- Total government funding for cultural activities in Australia totalled $5.6 billion in 2006-07. This was 2.6% higher than the level recorded in the previous year. The 2005-06 figure was 9% higher on 2004-05
- For the second year, state and territory governments contributed the majority (46.8%) of funding ($2,628.8m), followed by the Australian Government ($1,901.0m) and local government ($1,083.7m). This was the first time that Local governments contributed over $1,000m.
- Broadcasting and film was the largest recipient of government funds in 2006-07, with total funding of $1,242m (22.1% of total funding).
- The total capital expenditure by all levels of government was $569.4m in 2006-07, which was down from $636.7m in 2005-06. The majority of this funding (70.9%) came from state and territory governments. The largest recipient of the $2,268.8m of state and territory government funding was the Nature parks and reserves category, receiving over $1,086.8m or 41.3% of the total cultural funding.
- Cultural funding per person decreased across all three levels of government in 2006-07 to $269.25. This represents a fall of $7.48 from 2005-06.
- Local government funding in 2006-07 increased 7.9% from the previous year to $1,083.7m. The majority of local government funding ($619.7m or 57.2%) went to libraries. This is up from $595.4m (59.3%) in 2005-06.
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