Bob Brown (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

Thank you. I will not respond in kind but will try to be a bit more informative to the chamber than the submission we have just heard from Senator Humphries. But let me say at the outset that, had we supported the coalition into govern­ment, the cuts to these institutions now through a bigger dividend would be even more destructive to the cultural institutions here in the national capital and elsewhere in the country.

The other thing that escapes Senator Humphries here is that, yes, the Greens have guaranteed to ensure supply—and we will, because that is a responsible contribution to the welfare of this country and that is what voters would expect of us—but it does not mean that all the detail of a budget into which we had no effective input has to be accepted. If we can find a means through good argument and a strong approach to the government to take the burden of cuts from the great art and cultural institutions then we will do that, and if we cannot then we will look at other means.

I am aware that, for example, the cuts to the National Gallery may mean that five or six hugely publicly wanted exhibitions will not occur in the next 12 months and that there will be a couple of dozen, if not more, people losing their jobs at that institution, to the great detriment of the cultural wellbeing of this whole nation. It is just an example of why we should not be doing this. I hope Senator Humphries will join me in seeking to influence the government to alter this component of the budget for the wellbeing of the institutions and the people of Australia as a whole.

Question put:

  That the motion (Senator Brown’s) be agreed to.

  The Senate divided. [16:22]

(The President: Senator Hogg)

Question negatived.