Honourable Speaker, I rise today on the matter of public importance brought to the House by Mr George, regarding the devastating cuts imposed by this government, this Treasurer and this Premier on TMAG.

Speaker, I want to put on the record the Premier’s own words when it comes to the Arts that he spoke in this house less than 12 months ago in his 2026 State of the State speech.

And I quote:

‘Speaker, in my inaugural speech in this place more than a few years ago, I said how proud I was to be shadow minister for the arts. I said then — that investment by government and business in the arts is not subsidising artistic expression. It is an investment in community development, in diversity, creativity and cultural identity. I spoke of my passionate belief that the arts empower communities. I am as dedicated today as I was then. This government has a strong record of investment in the arts. We are proud of our support for the TSO, for TMAG, and QV-MAG, along with theatres across the state.’

Speaker, the Premier spoke those words only seven months ago. Proudly crowing about his support and love for the Arts to just stand aside whilst his honourable treasurer, Mr Abetz, took to the arts sector with the red pen, to make sweeping cuts to our Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery to pay for their waste.

Speaker, I want to be clear. TMAG is not just a building or a collection of objects; TMAG is the keeper and champion of Tasmanian art, heritage, and history; a place that is free for all to visit; where it's our stories that are told and where our culture is celebrated by skilled, passionate professionals.

TMAG's current exhibition, Becoming Modern, explores the emergence of modernism in Tasmania and Australia during the twentieth century. Drawn largely from the publicly owned Tasmanian State Collection, it showcases works that reflect our state back to us, from a wide range of experiences and perspectives. For many of the works, this is their first time being exhibited.

Speaker, David Walsh traces the beginnings of Mona itself back to a childhood spent at TMAG, wandering through exhibitions like Becoming Modern.

TMAG staff have been told that the museum has been directed to reduce its workforce. That means the already lean staffing levels across specialised roles will be further depleted.

Many have decades of experience, holding knowledge that cannot be simply replaced.

Speaker, the Tasmanian Herbarium is responsible for developing, maintaining, and managing Tasmania’s official botanical collections. These collections are internationally recognised as the most comprehensive record of Tasmanian flora.

Speaker, this place; these people; are the ones who have we've entrusted to care for and tell the stories of Tasmania, and these callous cuts will have an impact on every single Tasmanian, now and into the future.

TMAG has already endured budget cuts and staffing shortages which has resulted in temporary gallery closures and reduced public access.

Speaker, cuts to TMAG will leave a lasting and irreplaceable loss.

Cutting the arts doesn't simply save money; it comes at a real cost to Tasmania. It costs jobs, access and opportunities for Tasmanian artists and our creative industries and ultimately, it's an attack on our history, our culture and our ability to tell Tasmanian stories. An attack by this government.