4147.4.55.001 - Culture and Recreation News, Sep 2013  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 25/09/2013   
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CULTURAL AND CREATIVE ACTIVITY SATELLITE ACCOUNTS


DISCUSSION PAPER RELEASED

Findings of the feasibility study on producing cultural and creative activity satellite accounts for Australia are presented in the Discussion Paper: Cultural and Creative Activity Satellite Accounts, Australia, 2013 (cat. no. 5271.0.55.001). The study concluded that it is possible for the ABS to construct Australian cultural and creative satellite accounts with a reasonable level of quality using data which is currently available. The paper explained how the ABS proposes to measure the economic contribution of cultural and creative activity in Australia, comprising industry supply chains, activity in selected occupations outside those supply chains, volunteer services, and output supported by charitable contributions.

The feasibility study was undertaken in consultation with federal and state government representatives comprising the Cultural Ministers' Statistics Working Group as well as with several prominent Australian academics. Stakeholders identified three major needs from Australian cultural and creative activity satellite accounts. These were the ability to:

1. measure the economic value of this segment of the economy;

2. monitor its economic viability and reliance on volunteers and financial support from Government; and

3. understand its linkages to the rest of the economy.

While the terms 'cultural' and 'creative' are often used interchangeably, most stakeholders viewed them as covering different sets of activities. To address these different interests, the feasibility study proposed that satellite accounts be produced individually for 'cultural' activity and 'creative' activity, as well as an aggregate account covering both concepts that takes into account the overlap between the two.

We have welcomed the feedback on the discussion paper. This feedback will help inform our information paper which will present the ABS' final views. It is expected to be released in November. Work to develop the first experimental Australian accounts is well underway. You can expect to see the results in February 2014.