South Australian Museum

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (15:00): My question is to the Minister for Arts. Is the South Australian Museum going to continue to engage in scientific study and research under its new strategic plan? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: Over a number of years, the South Australian Museum research staff have won a wide range of research grants, many years more than any other museum in Australia and even a number of universities. The opposition has been advised, however, that research staff have been directed not to apply for any grants through the University of Adelaide, to the ARC or to the Australian Biological Resources Study grants, and therefore that is an undermining of the Museum's scientific research functions as outlined in the act.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (15:01): Thanks again to the member for Morialta for that question. The Museum will continue to undertake research. It's one of the functions in its act. I think what Dr Gaimster and the leadership team are looking at is more focused research, in terms of matching that in with the curatorial, the exhibitions and telling our South Australian story.

I am not aware of any direction that the member just referred to, but in terms of research, I'm very happy that Dr Gaimster is certainly focused on research and supporting research. But I do understand that that will form part of the bigger picture of what is the strategic vision for the Museum and being able to tie that research in with what those stories are that we want to tell within the Museum, physically in the building, and also in the digital presence online.