Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Hansard source

The feedback from the sector has been overwhelmingly positive. Understandably, there are a number of organisations that are particuarly pleased, because this rebalancing has enabled the Australia Council to address specific recommendations from the Opera Review—namely, those related to Opera Victoria and Opera Queensland.

It has also provided the opportunity to address some funding issues for the Queensland Ballet and the Brandenburg Orchestra but, across the board, I think, whether it be individual artists, small and medium organisations or the majors, there has been, generally, a positive response to my announcement. However, also there has been strongly expressed a desire for there to continue to be an avenue within the department that those organisations not eligible for Australia Council funding can pursue.