4183.0 - Cultural Funding by Government, Australia, 2001-02  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 28/07/2003   
   Page tools: Print Print Page Print all pages in this productPrint All

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS


CULTURAL FUNDING

Total government funding for cultural activities in 2001-02 was $4,676.8m. The Commonwealth Government contributed $1,619.6m (35%) to cultural funding while state and territory governments contributed $2,215.2m (47%) and local governments provided $841.9m (18%).

In 2001-02, funding of almost $1 billion ($988.9m or 21% of total cultural funding) was allocated to the category of Broadcasting and film by the Commonwealth and state and territory governments. The other major recipients of Commonwealth and state and territory government funding were Other museums (which consists of museums other than art museums) ($493.7m); Nature parks and reserves ($977.4m); and Libraries and archives ($466.7m).


Changes over time

Compared with the previous year (2000-01), total government funding increased by $238.8m (5%) in 2001-02. Total cultural funding from the Commonwealth Government and local governments fell by 2% and 4% respectively, while the state and territory governments' contribution increased by 16%. By comparison, from 1999-2000 to 2001-02 there was an overall increase in government funding of $376.8m (9%) with increases reported for all levels of government.

Graph 1 - CULTURAL FUNDING, By Level of Government - 1999-2000 to 2001-02
Graph:  CULTURAL FUNDING, By Level of Government - 1999-2000 to 2001-02


Funding from the Commonwealth Government fell $28.5m or 2% in 2001-02, mainly due to a decline in funding for Other museums (down $79.5m). Partly offsetting this was an increase in funding for Libraries and archives (up $28.4m or 34%). Broadcasting and film received a boost to funding, up $52.6m (6%), driven mainly by an increase in funding to Radio and television services. Community cultural activities fell $28.6m as did Other arts n.e.c. by $17.1m. Although Commonwealth Government funding was down marginally in 2001-02, it comes after a substantial increase in funding of $201.2m (14%) from 1999-2000 to 2000-01.

In contrast to the fall in Commonwealth Government funding, the state and territory governments' contribution increased by 16% from $1,917.4m in 2000-01 to $2,215.2m in 2001-02. The majority of the increase in funding provided was directed towards Art museums (up $82.1m) and Libraries and archives (increasing $39.7m). Funding for Performing arts venues was also up $68.2m as was Broadcasting and film, up $31.1m. Compared to the previous period, state and territory governments spending increased by a lesser amount, up $117.8m or 7%.

For local governments, funding for cultural activities in 2001-02 fell $30.5m to $841.9m (4%), whereas between 1999-2000 and 2000-01 it had increased by $57.8m (7%) to $872.4m.


Funding per person

Total government funding per person for 2001-02 increased $9.34, from $229.26 in 2000-01 to $238.60 in 2001-02. This increase is lower than that recorded between the years 1999-2000 and 2000-01 (which increased $16.72 per person) but partly reflects an increase in the state and territory governments' contribution to cultural funding (up $13.97 to $113.02 per person in 2001-02). The Commonwealth Government's contribution fell slightly from $85.14 in 2000-01 to $82.63 per person in 2001-02, as did the local governments' contribution, from $45.07 to $42.95 in 2001-02.


RECURRENT AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

The amount of funding for cultural activities in any one year can be affected by high levels of one-off capital expenditure. Capital expenditure refers to expenditure on the creation of fixed assets and on the acquisition of land, buildings and intangible assets. In contrast, recurrent expenditure refers mainly to expenditure on wages and salaries, purchases of goods and services, and current grants and subsidies.

Recurrent expenditure accounts for the largest portion of total government funding for cultural activities across all levels of government. In 2001-02, recurrent expenditure was $4,069.4m or 87% of total cultural funding. In particular, the Commonwealth Government allocated $1,522.0m (94%) for recurrent activity, state and territory governments provided $1,792.2m (81%) and local governments contributed $755.2m (90%).


FUNDING BY LEVEL OF GOVERNMENT


Commonwealth Government

In 2001-02, the majority of Commonwealth Government cultural funding supported Arts activities ($1,149.3m or 71% of total Commonwealth funding), while Heritage activities received $470.3m (29%). Broadcasting and film was the main recipient receiving over half of the total funding provided ($914.0m or 56%) with Radio and television services in particular receiving $836.7m (52%). Other museums were allocated $227.4m (14%).


State and territory government

In contrast, state and territory governments directed the majority of funding to Heritage activities ($1,801.1m or 81%) in 2001-02, while Arts activities received $414.1m (19%). Nature parks and reserves received $900.7m representing 41% of the total state and territory government funding for cultural activities. The remaining funds went towards Art and Other museums ($442.8m), Libraries and archives ($355.3m), Performing arts venues ($161.7m) and Zoological parks, aquaria and botanic gardens ($102.4m).

In 2001-02, cultural funding per person remained close to the average of $113.02 for most state and territory governments. Exceptions to this were the Northern Territory Government, with expenditure per person of $381.37, more than three times the average. For South Australia, per person expenditure ($144.88) was also above the average while for Queensland, per person expenditure ($88.96) was below.

Graph 2 - STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By Value of Funding - 2001-02

Graph:  STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By Value of Funding - 2001-02


Graph 3 - STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By $ Per Person - 2001-02

Graph:  STATE AND TERRITORY GOVERNMENT CULTURAL FUNDING, By $ Per Person - 2001-02


Funding for Nature parks and reserves was behind the high levels of per person expenditure for some regions. The Northern Territory Government spent $44.5m or $222.85 per person, when the average expenditure on Nature parks and reserves was $45.95 per person. Other state and territory governments to exceed this average were South Australia ($55.19 per person or $83.8m in total), New South Wales ($52.44 or $348.4m) and Queensland ($50.63 or $185.9m). In addition, the Northern Territory Government has responsibility for funding Libraries whereas in other states and territories they are funded by local governments. The Northern Territory Government spent $11.2m or $56.07 per person on Libraries in 2001-02.


Local government

In 2001-02, local government funding for cultural activities fell 4% to $841.9m. The only state or territory to record an increase was the Northern Territory which increased by $0.7m to $4.5m. Local government funding in all other states fell slightly, the largest falls being for Western Australia ($9.8m), Victoria ($7.7m) and New South Wales ($6.6m).

On a per person basis, local governments in Western Australia contributed the largest amount of cultural funding per person ($63.01) which was $20.06 above the average of $42.95 per person. The lowest amount of $22.53 per person was allocated by Northern Territory local governments and was $20.42 below the average.