John Hogg (President) Share this | Hansard source

In respect of the Australia Council Bill 2013, the question is that amendments (1) to (8) on sheet 7427 circulated by the opposition be agreed to:

(1) Clause 9, page 6 (line 24) to page 7 (line 19), omit subsection (1), substitute:

(1) The Council has the following functions:

  (a) to promote excellence in the arts;

  (b) to provide, and encourage the provision of, opportunities for persons to practise the arts;

  (c) to promote the appreciation, understanding and enjoyment of the arts;

  (d) to promote the general application of the arts in the community;

  (e) to foster the expression of a national identity by means of the arts;

  (f) to uphold and promote the right of persons to freedom in the practice of the arts;

  (g) to promote the knowledge and appreciation of Australian arts by persons in other countries;

  (h) to promote incentives for, and recognition of, achievement in the practice of the arts;

  (i) to encourage the support of the arts by the States, local governing bodies and other persons and organizations; and

  (j) to do anything incidental or conducive to the performance of any of the foregoing functions.

(2) Clause 11, page 8 (line 29), after paragraph (a), insert:

  (aa) the policies of State and Territory Governments in relation to the arts; and

(3) Clause 12, page 9 after line 2, after paragraph (a), insert:

  (aa) in relation to the formation and terms of reference of a Committee; or

(4) Clause 31, page 18 (line 5), at the end of subsection (1), add ", or as otherwise directed by the Minister"

(5) Clause 31, page 18 (line 10), omit "at least one person who has relevant experience in the arts", substitute "more than one person who has relevant experience in the specific subject matter relating to that committee."

(6) Clause 31, page 18 (line 15), omit "The Board", substitute "The Board, unless otherwise directed by the Minister"

(7) Clause 31, page 18 (line 21), omit "The Board", substitute "The Board or the Minister".

(8) Clause 31, page 18 (after line 25), at the end of the clause, add:

(6) A direction by the Minister will in all cases prevail over a direction by the Board.