Federal Budget 2006

Families and tax cuts. These were most assuredly the major focus of this year's budget. Nevertheless there are some initiatives of significance to the library and information sector and more broadly to cultural institutions.

Internet safety education remains on the government's agenda with the continuation of NetAlert funding ($0.5million) for a further year, achieved by offsetting against a reduction of $0.5 million from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), pending a review of ACMA's funding in the 2007-08 budget.

Funding for the National Collections Program is to continue with an allocation of $1.2 million over four years. This initiative supports national strategies for care and management of items held in Australian archives, galleries, libraries and museums, including those in regional areas.

Collections Australia Network will receive $1 million over four years to enable it to continue to provide an online resource for, and gateway to, Australian archives, libraries, museums and galleries.

The need for major works to the National Library of Australia's main building in Canberra has been recognised with an allocation of $9.8 million over two years. Work to be completed includes structural and hydraulic improvements to the podium and enhancement of collection storage areas. These funds are in addition to the $3 million capital funding the library receives each year to maintain the building.

At the same time the National Library will share in $7.7 million allocated over five years from 2005 - 2006 as supplementary funding for higher insurance premiums due to increases in the value of the collections. Other national collecting institutions to benefit are the National Gallery of Australia and National Archives of Australia.

The budget maintains the government's commitment to developing research infrastructure. While the major focus in this year's budget is on health and medical research, a total of $3 million has been made available over one year to finalise development of the Research Quality Framework model, begun in 2005, and which will be the first research assessment exercise carried out internationally that considers research impact.

Other features of the budget of general interest to the sector include:

• increased funding to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for new Australian content and for regional and local programming
• creation of a Gallery of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House, Canberra
• $15 million to the Melbourne Cricket Club to support the establishment of an Australian Sports Museum at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
• establishment of a 'Do not call' register to protect consumers from nuisance telemarketing phone calls by allowing individuals to opt out form receiving unsolicited calls
• support for telecommunications consumer representation and research into telecommunications issues.