Tasmania’s history, art and culture is under direct attack, as Premier Rockliff and Eric Abetz get to work dismantling our state’s creative future brick-by-brick. 

The Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery is facing a gross reduction in staff and funding, threatening the capacity of one of Tasmania’s most important cultural institutions to deliver exhibitions, education, and care for the collection of our history, art and culture. 

In a performance which reminded everyone why he was sent to the backbench in the first place, substitute Minister Roger Jaensch failed to set the record straight.

No one can believe the Liberals’ version of events while they remain unable to explain how many jobs will go from TMAG by the end of the year.

Following the callous scrapping of TasTAFE courses that train our creatives across screen and media, graphic design, and fashion and textiles, and the atrophy at Screen Tasmania, it’s clear the Liberal Government does not value the people or institutions who protect, preserve and share Tasmania’s history and culture. 

These cuts will mean fewer opportunities for Tasmanian artists, fewer Tasmanian jobs in the Tasmanian creative sector, and fewer reasons for people to stay, visit and invest in Tasmania.  

Premier Rockliff has put Eric Abetz in charge of making sweeping cuts across public services, and now our arts, culture, and heritage are on the Treasurer’s chopping block. 

A state that invests its culture and creativity is a state that invests in its future, but Tasmania is taking a major step backwards under Eric Abetz’ cuts.