Australia’s new Government names Special Envoy for the Arts

Newly elected Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has named Susan Templeman, the Federal Member for Macquarie, as Special Envoy for the Arts, tasked with promoting and supporting the nation’s creative sector.

Revealed after Prime Minister Albanese announced his ministerial appointments, her role is intended to be complementary to that undertaken by Tony Burke as Federal Minister for the Arts.

Templeman said she was "very honoured" to be named in the position, commenting “as someone whose first love was classical music, whose escape is novels, and whose first act after losing a home in a bushfire was to hang local art on the bare walls of a temporary home, I couldn't be happier having the privilege to support the creators.

"I am delighted to have the opportunity to work closely in this new role with the Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, with his vision for a cultural policy that rebuilds and shapes the sector's future.

"As the mother of both a musician and an actor, I have seen first-hand the challenges and triumphs of working in the arts."

Templeman (pictured) said it was with dismay that she saw the previous Federal Government ignore the needs of the arts sector during COVID-19.

Last week, Minister Burke stated “the nine-year political attack on the arts and entertainment sector is now over. The neglect, the contempt and the sabotage of the previous government has ended.

“I am determined to deliver a better future for Australia’s creative sector.”