Thousands sign SA Museum petition
More than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling on the state government to “save the SA Museum” from controversial reform plans.
The petition to be tabled in parliament today by Deputy Opposition leader John Gardner calls on the Malinauskas Government to abandon the museum’s restructure plans.
It also calls for another inquiry into the proposed “reimaging” of collections and galleries, the strategic direction of the SA Museum and the level of funding needed to support scientific research.
The petition follows a backlash to restructuring plans, which would axe all 27 positions in the SA Museum’s research and collections division, to be replaced by 22 new roles focusing on curatorial research.
Speaking to InDaily earlier this year, SA Museum CEO Dr David Gaimster said that the North Terrace institution had barely changed in decades and risked losing its relevance.
“The re-imagining project and investment in curatorial and collections management capability represent critical steps in the creation of the compelling contemporary museum of the 21st-century,” he said.
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The petition raised concerns about the restructure.
“We draw the attention of your Honourable House to the SA Museum’s recently announced restructure of research and collections and proposed ‘reimagining’ of exhibitions, which will have a disastrous effect on the reputation collections, and scientific credibility of one of Australia’s premier museums, much beloved by generations of South Australians, and widely respected around the world for its scientific achievements and contributions to reconciliation,” it said.
A Premier’s Review set up in April into the proposed restructure is expected to soon present its findings, while a separate Statutory Authorities Review Committee inquiry is currently taking evidence from witnesses.
“The fact that we have gone well past our target of ten thousand signatures demonstrates the significant regard in which the Museum is held by so many South Australians, along with their deep concerns raised about the proposed restructure,” Gardner said.
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“Peter Malinauskas needs to step up today, restore the budget, cancel the new direction revealed in the museum’s ‘re-imagining’, and once and for all cancel the restructure that has put all those important scientific research jobs at risk.”
Former SA Museum researcher Dr Catherine Kemper told the inquiry on Monday that science is being devalued at the museum, while Flinders Ranges Ediacara Foundation founder Mary Lou Simpson OAM said that a donation made by her husband had been “grossly mishandled”.
Parliamentary petitions with over 10,000 signatures are automatically referred to the Legislative Review Committee to investigate, which must report to both houses of parliament.
The responsible minister must then table a response and make a statement outlining what action will be taken in relation to the petition.
Arts Minister Andrea Michaels said “the South Australian Museum is incredibly important to the people of South Australia and we have seen the community’s passion and understand the community’s concerns”.
“As a result, the proposal is on hold while the Premier’s Review is underway.
“I look forward to making an announcement with the Premier shortly.”
