APY Art Centre Collective

Mr TEAGUE (Heysen) (14:43): My question is to the Minister for Arts. On what grounds was the APY Art Centre Collective referred to ORIC and the ACCC? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

Mr TEAGUE: The South Australian government referred APY arts to ORIC and the ACCC. This referral on the original review has damaged the reputation of APY arts and its artists.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:43): As the member would be aware, I instigated a review panel comprising Anne Sibree, a very highly regarded South Australian barrister; and Megan Krakouer and Cameron Costello, two First Nations people, one from Queensland, one from WA to review some of the public allegations on APY Art Centre, in particular in terms of how staff and others were dealing with Aboriginal artists. Those allegations are on public record.

They undertook a very thorough review and talked to many people and formed the view that there was sufficient evidence in their mind to refer certain matters of governance to ORIC and certain matters relating to unconscionable conduct to the ACCC. Those referrals have been made. Those federal bodies are currently investigating and I hope that is done as promptly as possible. From our perspective, we have given the information that we have been requested to provide to those agencies and I have no further update at this stage.