Further cuts to arts funding will be made over four years as part of the Government’s strategy to tackle the deficit.

More than $3.7 billion in spending cuts were announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison today as the Federal Government attempts to tackle a deficit which is predicted to last beyond the end of the decade. Health, welfare and aged care are among the hardest hit areas, however the Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook report also outlined yet more cuts to the arts. $52.5 million in savings is to be found within the Communications and the Arts portfolio over the next four years.

Details of specific cuts have not yet been released, but the MYEFO states that $36.8 million will be taken from “cultural and collecting entities within the Arts portfolio,” which will be achieved by introducing a 3% efficiency target. $9.6 million will be taken via cuts to “a number of arts programmes, including the cessation of the Book Council of Australia.” $6 million will be taken directly from the Department of Communications and the Arts, headed by Senator Mitch Fifield, via departmental “efficiencies.” In response to the closure of the Book Council of Australia,...