With the election of the Albanese Labor government, there promises to be greater support for universities and TAFE, but as yet we have no indication of how this might reflect creative arts programs, and indeed arts more generally. Former DDCA President Professor Clive Barstow provides some immediate reflections in the aftermath of the election results.
“The recent Australian election proves that unlike Trump’s America, a solid democratic system of compulsory voting and intelligent people power that can see through the crass right wing media campaigns, can bring about a most needed shift from neo-liberalist dogma to a humanistic driven resetting of our political and social values. This zeitgeist will at last truly recognise our First Nations people, will drive social and gender equity, will address climate change and end the strategy of division and prejudice that still has the smell of the White Australia Policy. The rise of our smart female independents will introduce a balance and accountability to our political process and together with the new government will give hope to such nations as Ukraine with the message that justice and humanity is worth fighting for.”