AMaGA Federal Election 2025 – Candidate and Party Engagement Summary
In the lead-up to the 2025 federal election, the Australian Museums and Galleries Association (AMaGA) reached out to all major parties, minor parties, and independents to gauge their support for the museum and gallery sector. The aim was to inform AMaGA members of candidates’ views and commitments on the role and sustainability of museums and galleries, particularly in regional and remote areas.
1. Questions Asked of Candidates and Parties
On 22 April 2025, AMaGA sent the following three questions to all federal candidates and parties:
1. Community Role “How do you see the role of museums and galleries in Australian communities—culturally, educationally, and economically?”
2. Sustainability and Impact “If elected, what commitments or policy directions would you support to strengthen the sustainability and impact of the museum and gallery sector?”
3. Regional and Remote Support “How would your party or platform support regional, remote, and under-resourced museums and galleries to ensure equitable cultural access and preservation of diverse stories?”
AMaGA committed to sharing responses with its national membership and welcomed all perspectives to contribute to this important sectoral dialogue.
2. Summary of Responses Received
Australian Labor Party (ALP)
● Reaffirmed commitment to the Revive national cultural policy, a five-year plan launched in 2023.
● Highlighted record investments, including $880 million more in the 2025–26 Budget and $535.3 million in National Collecting Institutions (NCI).
● Emphasised the NGA’s Sharing the National Collection program which increased regional access to national artworks.
● Committed to ongoing consultation post-election to shape the next iteration of cultural policy.
Australian Greens
● Proposed a fully costed arts plan, including:
○ $2 billion for long-term sustainability.
○ $300 million for arts infrastructure.
○ A Living Wage pilot for 10,000 artists.
○ Minimum live performance fees and stronger artist protections.
● Prioritised embedding artists in public schools and libraries, and increasing local content requirements for streamers.
● Framed cultural support as essential to a vibrant and inclusive Australia.
Andrew Wilkie MP (Independent – Clark, TAS)
● Described museums and galleries as central to regional and rural communities.
● Supported stronger targeted funding, especially for volunteer-run institutions.
● Acknowledged AMaGA’s expertise and welcomed further policy input.
● Expressed support for long-term sector sustainability and more inclusive access to cultural assets.
David Pocock (Independent – ACT)
● Did not provide detailed answers due to limited campaign resources.
● Referred AMaGA to his comprehensive online policy platform.
● Appreciated the sector’s importance and acknowledged the resource challenge for independents during elections.
Fusion Party (Matthew McMillan – Candidate for Adelaide)
● Supported expanding and celebrating museums and galleries.
● Advocated for education programs and inclusive public engagement.
● Called for initial funding boosts to help smaller institutions become self-sufficient.
● Emphasised the importance of cultural institutions to all socio-economic groups.
3. Response Snapshot
Party/Candidate Responded Key Themes
Australian Labor Party ✅ Revive policy, national collection access, increased federal funding
Australian Greens ✅ Major investment, artist wages, education access
Andrew Wilkie MP ✅ Targeted rural support, policy co-design with AMaGA
David Pocock ✅ General support, referred to public platform
Fusion Party
(McMillan) ✅ Education and access focus, funding for self-sufficiency
Conclusion
AMaGA received thoughtful responses from five parties/candidates, demonstrating cross-partisan recognition of the importance of museums and galleries. While approaches differ, there was a consistent acknowledgement of the sector’s cultural, educational, and economic significance—particularly in regional and under-resourced communities. AMaGA will continue advocating for a strong and sustainable future for all collecting institutions.