Local South East history groups are encouraged with the announcement of the Albanese Government's commitment to the Trove repository by way of a total of $33 million to be provided to the National Library of Australia over four years from 1 July, avoiding the funding cliff left by the previous Government.
Crucially, the Government is also committing to providing $9.2 million in indexed ongoing annual funding beyond the forward estimates. This will end the funding uncertainty once and for all and secure Trove for future generations.
The previous Liberal and National Government made a decision that Trove funding would end on June 30 this year.
The funding commitment comes on the heels of the many calls by the community for funding certainty for the institution, which had its budget slashed by the previous government to only $5 million annually, and only until June this year.
In response to the joint announcement by Minister for Arts, Tony Burke and Finance Minister Katy Gallagher, in the Albanese government’s first pre-Budget announcement, the Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips said:
"I’m pleased the Albanese Labor Government is ensuring the long-term future of Trove.
"This is great news, and I’d like to thank all the local people who raised this issue with me.
"Trove is an important historical and cultural resource that can be accessed by all Australians.
"Resources like this are so important for people who live regionally and can’t make it to our city-based national institutions.
"I would encourage any local organisations with photos or records in storage to consider contributing their collections to Trove."
In making the announcement Finance Minister Katy Gallagher summed up the concern that was held by the threat that the previous government had made to the historic fabric of the nation when she said "Without this funding Trove would simply cease to exist in a few short months – and with that, free, digital access to much of Australia’s history would be denied to millions of Australians.”
Above: Member for Gilmore, Fiona Phillips, at the Kangaroo Valley museum, which is also the site of the Kangaroo Valley historical society
