The Hon Rod Kemp was Minister for the Arts and Sport from Friday 23 November 2001 to Tuesday 30 January 2007. This site is available for archival purposes only.

Examination of Opera and Ballet Orchestral Services

The Minister for the Arts and Sport, Senator the Hon Rod Kemp, today announced a further examination of the orchestral services provided to the opera and ballet in Sydney and Melbourne.

The examination is an outcome of the Orchestras Review 2005, conducted by Mr James Strong, and will look at the operations and financial arrangements for the two opera and ballet orchestras—the Australian Opera and Ballet Orchestra in Sydney and Orchestra Victoria in Melbourne.

‘In the 2005–06 Budget the Australian Government announced that it would provide
$25.4 million over four years to improve the sustainability and artistic outlook of Australia’s orchestras,’ Senator Kemp said.

The examination is to be managed by the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts. A consultant will be engaged to undertake necessary analysis and to provide specialist financial and business advice.

‘The objective of the examination will be to identify possible arrangements to improve the future sustainability of these orchestras. The maintenance of high artistic standards will be given close consideration throughout this process’, Senator Kemp said.

‘There will be an analysis of the markets and the environment in which these orchestras operate as well as looking at the performance requirements, costs and revenues of Opera Australia and The Australian Ballet—the companies that the opera and ballet orchestras support.’

It is anticipated that the examination will be completed by the end of the year.

‘Consultation with the relevant companies and with the New South Wales and Victorian Governments has already commenced’, Senator Kemp said.

‘As funding partners for these companies it is important that the State Governments are involved in the process and committed to a workable solution.’

Further to the Australian Government’s response to the Strong Review, Senator Kemp is pleased to confirm that once the symphony orchestras are established as independent companies ‘the ABC intends to enter into agreements with each of the orchestras to ensure that the existing mutually beneficial broadcasting, operational and promotional arrangements are preserved into the future’.

CANBERRA
23 September 2005

Media contact: Adrian Chippindale, 02 6277 7350 or 0407 208 743