Honourable Speaker, I acknowledge my fellow member for Franklin, Peter George, for bringing this important matter on, and welcome the Friends of TMAG and those interested in this important institution. When I heard the news about the proposed cuts for TMAG, I was outraged because there are certain institutions in Tasmania that transcend budget cycles, that hold our stories, that tell our stories, that inspire young children, that inspire people to engage with this beautiful island and our people. My experience with TMAG, like many Tasmanians, is significant. As a child growing up in Launceston in a working-class family, every school holidays our mum would pack up the kids and we'd go to the museum. Why? Because it was free. Why? Because it was interesting. Why? Because it told us about who we were, why we are here and what holds in our future. Super important.

 When I was arts minister, for a very short period of time in 2010, it was an absolute honour to have responsibility for the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, and our galleries around the state, and important research institutions like the Herbarium. Looking at the work of Joseph Banks in the Herbarium, this is something globally significant. That is why I urged the Premier for an urgent briefing, I met with the minister, I asked a question today in Question Time. These are institutions that transcend budget cycles. The importance of TMAG to Tasmania cannot be judged on a head count; it cannot be judged on a cycle of budgets over the forward Estimates. This is an important institution. History will judge this parliament poorly if we make short-term rash decisions. 

I was surprised that the executive CEO of TMAG was on annual leave whilst all of this was occurring. I felt that is an abrogation of their responsibility to lead TMAG staff through this consultation period. I was surprised, shocked and disappointed. When these moments confront significant institutions like TMAG, you need the leadership there to work with staff.

No part of the Tasmanian government should be above a discussion around how and why we do our work and where the budget should go. TMAG should not be excluded from that, but it should be valued above and beyond the short-term budget cycle. TMAG is an important institution. It holds so many stories. It is a part of our past, our current and contemporary life, and our future. We cannot cut it. We cannot undermine it to the point that it does not serve the purpose that this institution was created for. If that happens, we have let down — we are the current custodians of the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery. We cannot drop this, we cannot fumble this. It's too important an institution. I urge the government, as I've urged the Premier and the minister, to reconsider these plans. This is short-sighted and history will judge this parliament poorly if these cuts go through.