Kate Schaffner named as inaugural Director of Creative Workplaces

Creative Australia has announced the appointment of Kate Schaffner as Director of Creative Workplaces. Creative Workplaces is an initiative of the Australian Government’s National Cultural Policy: Revive.

As a newly established function of Creative Australia, Creative Workplaces will promote fair, safe, and respectful workplaces for Australian artists, arts workers, and arts organisations.

Schaffner has considerable experience in workplace relations and in leadership roles in the public sector. She has contributed to the implementation of several recent workplace relations policy reforms at the Fair Work Commission. 

Schaffner has a deep understanding of workplace culture and employment issues. Her knowledge of issues relating to pay, safety, and wellbeing will be instrumental in delivering Creative Workplace’s mandate.

The appointment comes after NSW Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke appointed a Creative Workplaces Council, chaired by former Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins AO and fellow Council members, all with deep sector knowledge and experiences.

Creative Workplaces will play a key role in delivering on the Government’s commitment to ensuring fair, safe and respectful workplaces for people working across the arts sector, as outlined in the National Cultural Policy: Revive.

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) have congratulated Schaffner on her appointment.

ARIA and PPCA Chief Executive, Annabelle Herd enthused “we are thrilled that an appointment has been made for the inaugural Director of the Centre for Creative Workplaces, and welcome Kate Schaffner to the position. Kate’s experience with the Fair Work Commission is precisely what the industry needs to elevate its responses to workplace issues.

“The agenda for Creative Workplaces may be immense, but the goal is simple: to make our creative workplaces safe and inclusive for all. Raising their Voices shone a much-needed spotlight on the music industry, and Creative Workplaces will give critical direction in responding to the recommendations. We look forward to working closely with the Kate and the Creative Workplaces team.”