Australian art and culture as an expression of Australian culture has a rich and ancient tapestry extending back to the oldest surviving culture in human civilisation. Based on more recent evidence this means that Australian art and culture extends back over one hundred and twenty thousand years.
The inherent value and use of cultural expression to Australian society is immeasurable. It also provides a unique opportunity to see into the heart and soul of our nation.
The nature of creativity and its symbiotic relationship with our lives, our communities, our economy and our Australian society - and its place in our world - are unique. This is why the RepresentUs - Australia - Movement supports significant investment of our Common Wealth into all of the creative industries and activities. This is also why the RepresentUs - Australia - Movement will always actively promote any individuals or creative group who aspires to manifest any type of creative career or project.
Our greatest resource are Australians - so investing in the development of cultured, creative and innovative minds - for all Australians - should always be an important priority of any Common Wealth government.
The RepresentUs - Australia - Movement believes that a crucial component of reclaiming and rebuilding 'the lucky country' will be to support and nurture a rich, diverse and robust creative sector in practical and clearly articulated ways. To this end, the RepresentUs - Australia - Movements support for creativity in our nation will include:
All individuals or groups who are pursuing a creative career or project will be entitled to a dignified minimum income and all other benefits associated with the RepresentUs Movement social welfare policy
All individuals who are pursuing a creative career, project or activity - individually - will be entitled as individuals to pay zero tax on all of their income up to $50,000
All groups who are pursuing a creative project or activity will be entitled - collectively - to pay zero tax on income up to $50,000 for each individual where the combined income from that arts project or activity does not exceed an average of $50,000. This tax free threshold will apply for the first $5 million earned by this creative project or activity
Significantly expanded funding to the Australia Council
Through providing additional funding to the Australia Council's organisational capacity and capability additional funds will also be directly provided to individual artists and creative projects across all disciplines based on merit through the Australia Council without Common Wealth Ministerial approval
Establishing the Australia Council as an independent statutory authority that has no direct political influence by our Common Wealth government, however, does have a Parliamentary committee to provide a checks and balances on its grant allocations to individual creative artists, projects and activities
A triannual election of all Australia Council Board positions by all registered artists and creative groups will be held at the same time as national elections and all appropriately qualified and experience Australians will be entitled to apply for said positions
The Australian Broadcasting Commission (ABC) and the Special Broadcasting Service (SBS) and their Boards will also be established as independent statutory authorities on the same basis as the Australia Council