Second inquiry to investigate SA Museum
A parliamentary committee will inquire into the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia after a similar move was knocked back by SA Parliament’s Upper House earlier this month.
The Statutory Authorities Review Committee voted at its meeting this morning to establish its own inquiry into the controversial proposed restructure and gallery changes at the SA Museum.
Premier Peter Malinauskas has already ordered his own review into the matter.
The motion for a second inquiry was introduced by the Greens’ Tammy Franks and was also supported by Liberal committee members Jing Lee and Dennis Hood.
As reported in InDaily, a motion for the Statutory Authorities Review Committee to establish an inquiry into the SA Museum and the Art Gallery was rejected by the Upper House earlier this month. Standing committees, however, can vote to establish their own inquiries into matters.
The inquiry comes after InDaily reported in February that the museum management planned to axe all 27 positions in the research and collections division and replace them with 22 new roles focusing on curatorial research.
The proposed changes prompted a backlash from the community and scientists, leading to Premier Peter Malinauskas ordering a review in April.
Committee member Tammy Franks MLC said that the committee would soon advertise for submissions to the inquiry.
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She said the Art Gallery was included in the inquiry’s scope because of unnamed “concerns” raised with members of Parliament.
“It (the inquiry) will hold hearings and produce a report which is public,” she said.
“Importantly, it will provide submitters and witnesses with parliamentary privilege so they can feel unfettered in their contribution with regards to our important cultural institutions of the South Australian Museum and the Art Gallery of South Australia.
“The Premier’s review is all well and good, but we’re still waiting for his SAPOL task force report, which last met in March 2023, and he’s had the report in his inbox for over seven months now, so I won’t be holding my breath waiting for the Premier’s review to provide South Australians the voice that they need on this important issue.”
