Departmental media releases and speeches archive

2025

• Media release—Festival funding celebrates our regions—18 February 2025
  Local festivals and cultural events across rural, regional and remote Australia have a fresh opportunity to receive a critical boost from the Australian Government.
• Media release—Response highlights commitment to protecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts—14 January 2025
  The Department has released the Australian Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visual arts and crafts - Study report.

2024

• Media release—Working group to inform protection of First Nations art—19 December 2024
  The Australian Government has established a First Nations Expert Working Group to help inform standalone legislation to protect First Nations traditional knowledge and intellectual property.
• Media release—Australian Festivals receive a boost—18 December 2024
  Regional and remote festivals across Australia will benefit from fresh funding for projects celebrating music, dance, theatre, literature and visual arts.
• Media release—Removal of tree in KAVHA to prevent further damage—05 December 2024
  To support the ongoing protection of Kingston’s buildings and heritage, the Department needs to remove a single pine tree which is causing damage to the greenkeeper’s shed at the golf course.
• Media release—Tender awarded for age assurance trial—15 November 2024
  A consortium headed by the world-leading Age Check Certification Scheme (ACCS) has been awarded the tender for the Australian Government’s age assurance trial.
• Media release—New system of federal administrative review commencing in October—26 September 2024
  A new, fit-for-purpose federal administrative review body will commence operations on 14 October 2024, replacing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT).
• Media release—Funding to get regional Australia feeling festive—9 September 2024
  Regional and remote communities around Australia will get the opportunity to experience new and exciting arts activations in their area thanks to support available through Round 19 of the Festivals Australia program.
• Media release—Edit-a-thon to raise profile of Australian women artists—3 September 2024
  Artbank is teaming up with artist-led collaborative research project Countess.Report to bring greater attention to the work and achievements of Australian women artists.
• Media release—Visions of Australia funding creates sights to be seen across Australia—3 September 2024
  Arts and cultural heritage institutions across the country are encouraged to apply for a share in $2.8 million of annual funding under the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia touring program.
• Media release—Protect your money and yourself—29 August 2024
  The Australian Government urges the Norfolk Island community to only use authorised banks and insurance services, to protect themselves and their assets.
• Media release—Apply now to help protect First Nations arts and culture
  The Australian Government is seeking applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to join an expert working group to guide the development of new laws on Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP) rights.
• Media release—Queensland to deliver corrective services for Norfolk Island
  From 1 July 2024, Queensland will provide corrective services for Norfolk Island.
• Media release—National Indigenous Art Fair to celebrate creativity and culture
  Creations from talented First Nations artists, designers and makers will be on show as the 2024 National Indigenous Art Fair takes place on Gadigal Country in Sydney this month.
• Media release—Online consultation sessions to shape new laws that protect against fake First Nations art and culture
  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and relevant stakeholders are invited to attend online sessions to shape new laws to protect First Nations art and culture, including to address the harm caused by fake art, merchandise and souvenirs.
• Media release - Working toward a fairer go for First Nations artists
  The Australian Government has begun work to strengthen the Indigenous Art Code as part of its efforts to protect the rights of First Nations artists and ensure they are treated fairly.
• Media release—Share your views on an updated guide for assessing the significance of cultural objects
  The Australian Government is encouraging people involved in the collections and cultural heritage sector to have their say on an update to Significance 2.0: a guide to assessing the significance of collections. Refreshing this guide is an action under National Cultural Policy, Revive: a place for every story, a story for every place.
• Media release—Funding brings cultural treasure to Melbourne art fans
  A highly significant drawing by one of the most celebrated First Nations Australian artists of the 19th Century will be making its way to the University of Melbourne with help from the National Cultural Heritage Account.
• Media release—Call to help shape the future of automated vehicles in Australia—23 April 2024
  The Australian Government is seeking the public’s help to shape the future rules for automated vehicles in Australia.
• Media release—Federal funding available to support women and girls in aviation—10 April 2024
  Up to $2.9 million in funding is available for impactful new projects to support women and girls in a career in aviation, with an open tender released today.
• Media release—Reaching out to community to protect First Nations art—10 April 2024
  The Australian Government continues to seek community feedback on how to address the issue of fake First Nations-style art, with public engagement sessions underway across the country.
• Media release—Easier access to legal aid services for Norfolk Islanders—05 April 2024
  The Australian Government is enhancing legal aid services to Norfolk Island to help those eligible in the local community to have access to appropriate legal support and advice for free.
• Media release—New local laws map helps drones take flight—29 February 2024
  Drone operators and the community now have access to a digital map that show local restrictions that may be in place for flying drones in their area.
• Media release—Supporting arts projects in regional and remote communities—19 February 2024
  Around $700,000 is available for regional artists, arts workers and organisations with the latest round of the Australian Government’s Festivals Australia program opening today.
• Media release—Live music grants to make venues sing again—12 February 2024
  The Australian Government is investing $2.5 million in small to medium live music venues
  across the country that host Australian gigs.
• Media release—Funding to help bring international collections to our shores—7 February 2024
  Eligible collecting and touring institutions are invited to apply for funding to bring international art and cultural collection material to Australian audiences, with the latest round of the Australian Government International Exhibitions Insurance Program now open.
• Media release—Exhibitions and collections to tour Australia—6 February 2024
  More Australians will soon get to experience our cultural collections and exhibitions, with grants available to organisations through two programs to support them to tour the nation.
• Transcript—ABC Radio Newcastle—Paul Culliver interview with High Speed Rail Authority CEO Timothy Parker—January 2024
  Subjects: Sydney to Newcastle high-speed rail.
• Media release—More grants available to support First Nations languages and arts 
  Applications are now open for the latest competitive grant opportunity as part of the Australian Government's Indigenous Languages and Arts (ILA) program.
• Transcript—Craig Reucassel interview with High Speed Rail Authority Chief Executive Officer Tim Parker—January 2024
  Subjects: High-speed rail from Sydney to Newcastle; population density.

2023

• Securing Norfolk Island's Freight Support—11 December 2023
  The Australian Government is funding the design and manufacture of two new purpose-built Cargo Transfer Vessels (CTVs) to better support Norfolk Island's sea freight needs, in partnership with the Norfolk Island Regional Council (NIRC).
• Media Release—Grant opportunity to support First Nations visual arts
  Applications are now open for funding under the latest open competitive round of the Australian Government's Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program.
• Call for ideas to help reduce transport emissions—1 December 2023
  The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is calling for ideas to help shape the Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan.
• Boosting global cooperation on telecommunications 
  The Australian Government has joined with the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and Japan to establish a Global Coalition on Telecommunications (GCOT).
• Media Release—More support to host Australian music festivals
  Round 7 of the Australian Government's $20 million Live Music Australia program is now open, with festivals that showcase live original Australian music encouraged to apply for funding.
• Apply now for funding through the Visions of Australia program
  Australian arts and cultural heritage organisations are invited to apply for Australian Government support with Round 17 of the Visions of Australia program now open.
• Applications open for Round 17 of the Festivals Australia program
  Regional artists, arts workers and organisations are invited to apply for Australian Government support with Round 17 of the Festivals Australia program now open.
• Spearheading green and digital shipping cooperation between Australia and Singapore Australia and Singapore have commenced discussions to explore areas of cooperation in green and digital shipping and will establish a Singapore-Australia Green and Digital Shipping Corridor by the end of 2025.
• Contract for air passenger services to Norfolk Island The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is pleased to announce Qantas Airways Limited will provide long-term air passenger services to Norfolk Island.
• New fire control laws in effect After several rounds of broad community consultation and review between 2020 and 2022, the updates to local fire control laws have now come into effect, supporting the improved management and regulation of the use of fire on Norfolk Island.
• Update on Norfolk Island air services arrangements
  The Australian Government has extended the arrangement with Toll Remote Pty Ltd for air freight services to Norfolk Island through to 30 June 2023.

2022

• Next steps on fire control laws
  The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts thanks the community for taking the time to share their views on proposed changes to Norfolk Island's fire control laws.
• End to COVID health directions on Norfolk Island—14 October 2022
  In line with changes to national protocols, people on Norfolk Island will no longer be required to isolate at home if testing positive to COVID-19, from 14 October 2022.
• Upcoming changes to COVID requirements
  The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is working to update the COVID public health directions for Norfolk Island, following changes to national protocols.
• Update on tender for air passenger services to Norfolk Island
  The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is currently considering responses from the market for a long-term supplier for air passenger services to Norfolk Island, following the tender closing recently.
• Update on Norfolk Island air freight arrangements
  The Australian Government has extended the arrangement with Toll Remote Pty Ltd for air freight services to Norfolk Island through to 31 January 2023.
• COVID-19 response—Extension to State of Emergency in Jervis Bay Territory
  The declared State of Emergency for the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) has been extended for a 30-day period from 10 May 2022, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Next steps for future air passenger services to Norfolk Island
  The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications is now inviting tenders for a long-term aviation partner to deliver regular and reliable air passenger services to Norfolk Island, following the expiry of the current arrangements.
• Updated laws for regulation of National Land, Lakes and Memorials in the Australian Capital Territory
  The laws for the management and use of National Land, Lakes (Lake Burley Griffin) and Memorials in Canberra have been updated to ensure they are modern and fit for purpose.
• COVID-19 response—Extension to State of Emergency in Jervis Bay Territory
  The Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, has extended the declared State of Emergency for the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) for a 30-day period from 16 March 2022, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Regulation of National Land (Lakes) in the Australian Capital Territory
  The Australian Government is updating the laws for the management of National Lakes (Lake Burley Griffin) to ensure they are modern and fit for purpose, and is now seeking public comment on a draft of the Australian Capital Territory National Land (Lakes) Ordinance 2022.
• Regulation of National Memorials in the Australian Capital Territory
  The Australian Government is updating the laws relating to National Memorials and naming public places on National Land in the Australian Capital Territory, to ensure the laws are modern and fit for purpose.
• COVID-19 response—Extension to State of Emergency in Jervis Bay Territory
  The Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories, the Honourable Nola Marino MP, has extended the declared State of Emergency for the Jervis Bay Territory (JBT) for a 30-day period from 15 February 2022, as part of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Norfolk Island PFAS response—final community sessions
  The expert team from Senversa and the Departments of Health and Infrastructure will be undertaking virtual community engagement from 14 February—4 March 2022 to update the Norfolk Island community on the final outcomes of the detailed environmental investigation into per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) levels related to the historical use of firefighting foam at the Norfolk Island International Airport.