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National Party MP Peter McGauran was sworn in as the new Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation in late 1998. He spoke with Cinden Lester for Artbeat.

Like most kids growing up in the 1960s in rural Australia, Peter McGauran's childhood in Victoria's Traralgon wasn't overly influenced by the arts.

'My earliest memory of the arts is appearing in the primary school nativity play,' he confesses with an easy laugh, 'and I was always in the chorus!'

Other than the 'odd Rotary art show' it was just accepted that you had to travel to the city for exhibitions or performances. So when, as a schoolboy, McGauran first saw a professional ballet performance in Melbourne, it made a lasting impression.

Ballet remains a particular passion-he's seen Nureyev dance in venues around the world-but he's also developed an interest in other areas of the arts, and is particularly pleased with his new job.

Born to a Gippsland farming family 43 years ago, McGauran completed a Law/Arts Degree at Melbourne University and worked for a local law firm before entering politics at 27 in 1983.

He enjoyed a stint as Science Minister during 1996-97 and now he's just as eagerly getting to know a very different portfolio.

Senator Richard Alston will continue to represent the arts in Cabinet and Peter McGauran will have the day-to-day responsibility. He sees himself as 'a point of access into Government for the arts community, and an advocate where the case is sound.'

His diary is already packed with appointments, exhibition launches, performances, meetings and visits.

'Companies, organisations and agencies are keen to show me their work, and to ever so gently express a point of view about various policy issues,' he says with a wry smile.

'People are passionate about their point of view and are able to express it with an unusual degree of clarity and precision,' he says.

Asked about his priorities, the Minister says there are several important issues.

'There's the challenge of the infrastructure problems of a number of our national institutions. There's still a long way to go, but we began to address a number of capital issues through the Federation fund, with $25 million for NIDA, $12 million for Victorian regional art galleries, and $150 million for the National Museum.'

He says the development of the National Museum of Australia at Acton Peninsula in Canberra is a 'preoccupation' of this government.

The Government's intellectual property reforms also present challenges to the arts. He says it's important to ensure a balance between the interests of copyright creators, owners and users.

'It will be important to pursue a workable solution to moral rights and the introduction of performers' rights,' he adds.

On the question of arts funding generally, McGauran echoes the Prime Minister's call for more corporate sponsorship and philanthropy in addition to, not instead of government support.

Not surprisingly, regional issues are also high on the agenda-the Minister is particularly keen to build up regional arts using existing programs and improving them where possible.

'Over the last 20 or 30 years a strong network of regional galleries and touring companies has developed in conjunction with more home grown theatre groups. There's a lot of people doing a great deal of work on the ground and making it happen-small exhibition centres and small companies all of whom live or die on their takings-and I really admire them for the way they are pursuing their art.'

As well as support, McGauran says recognition of the role and value of the arts in Australia is important.

'The Australian Bureau of Statistics tells us that almost 12 million people last year participated in the arts in one form or another, whereas sport involved six million. And yet very few Australians would know that. So there is a participation in the arts by a large segment of the population but not sufficient awareness.

'It's important that we all recognise this because Government funding for the arts can sometimes be dismissed as just for a minority of the public, whereas in fact funding for the arts reaches a majority of Australians.'

There are some areas of the portfolio McGauran admits he wants to learn more about, including contemporary music and the impact of new technologies.

'New technology has exciting potential particularly to break down the problems of distance and inaccessibility. The Government has taken a lead with Australia's Cultural Network and ArtsInfo, which are only just beginning to scratch the surface.'

And of course, there's the other major area of the portfolio - the Centenary of Federation.

'The opportunities to celebrate 100 years of our nation are limitless, and already a very innovative program to involve as many Australians as possible is beginning to take shape,' he says.

'It gives us an opportunity to acknowledge the beginning of Australia as a nation, the achievements that have made us the nation that we are today, and to project into the future our hopes and aspirations.'

Peter McGauran's genuine enthusiasm for the job is obvious as he talks about what the cultural sector means to Australia.

'The arts underpin our entire culture. Most other things that influence and shape public opinion and social attitudes are of a passing nature, whereas the inherent richness of the arts is an unending influence on our culture.'

Contact
Minister's office 02 6277 7350

• Document ID: 11487 |
• Last modified: 5 February 2008, 6:05pm