Funding for cultural activities at all levels of government increased to $4.5 billion in 2000-01, up 10% from the previous financial year, according to figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) today. In terms of average cultural funding per person this was an increase of $18 to $231.

State and territory governments provided most of the cultural funding ($1,942 million in 2000-01), with most funds directed towards nature parks and reserves ($898 million), libraries and archives ($297 million) and other museums ($255 million). Funding by state and territory governments increased by 8% (or $147 million) from 1999-2000, largely due to additional allocations for nature parks and reserves (an increase of $151 million or 20%).

A $193 million (or 13%) funding increase brought the Commonwealth Government’s total contribution towards culture to $1,640 million in 2000-01. As was the case in 1999-2000, radio and television services continued to be the main area of Commonwealth Government funding, receiving $777 million, an increase of $63 million. Large increases in funding were also reported for museums ($76 million) and community cultural activities ($13 million).

Local government provided $872 million for cultural activities in 2000-01, up 7% compared with 1999-2000. Councils targeted their spending on libraries and archives ($459 million), public halls and civic centres ($133 million), art museums ($54 million) and other museums ($51 million). On average, local councils in Western Australia contributed noticeably more per person ($69 per person), than the Australian average ($45 per person).