FOR THE RECORD
From: Launceston Projects <launcestonprojects@bigpond.com>
Date: Monday, 21 November 2016 8:33 am
To: Albert van Zetten <mayor@launceston.tas.gov.au>, Council <records@launceston.tas.gov.au>
Cc: "Peter Gutwein {Treasurer & Minister Local Govt.}" <peter.gutwein@parliament.tas.gov.au>, "Vanessa Goodwin [Minister for the Arts]" <vanessa.goodwin@parliament.tas.gov.au>
Subject: PARTNERSHIPS ?
Dear Albert,
I write to you in your capacity as the Chairperson of the QVMAG Trustees, and to the Aldermen/Trustees, to draw your collective attentions to this media release that's just been forwarded to me and that is attached below.
A search of the City's Media Releases –http://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/lcc/index.php?c=402&langID=1– – and the QVMAG's Website reveals no similar initiative for the QVMAG – recently or indeed ever. This is disappointing given that UTAS is the recipient of a more than considerable amount of largess from Launceston's citizens in the form of land grants and sponsorship gifts – so so many free kicks. Disappointingly, UTAS in the light of all this has not seen its way clear to initiate partnership arrangements with the QVMAG albeit that there would be mutual advantages in doing so.
The TMAG has clearly been proactive in the initiation of the partnership announced in the media release yet by comparison the QVMAG with its collections reportedly valued at $230million plus and an annual recurrent budget hovering around $6million apparently makes no comparable effort to deliver the outcomes the TMAG is working so diligently towards for the benefit of Tasmanians – and looking forward, to the benefit of cultural tourism in the state.
Tasmania's taxpayers contribute significantly towards the QVMAG's recurrent operational costs as you are well aware. Also, Launceston's ratepayers are all conscripted to contribute something in the order of $140 per rateable property as you are also well aware. Moreover, individuals and groups make substantial donations in cash and in-kind to the QVMAG towards building its collections and delivering programs. The significance of the QVMAG is not in question but its outcomes might well be.
Consequently, and unsurprisingly, the questions to do with 'dividends-in-return' loom large when comparing the proaction of the TMAG to the apparent lack of such activity in regard to the QVMAG. As it would be expected I lay the responsibility for this at the door of the QVMAG's governance as it is policy issue rather than an 'operational matter'. Also, its a matter of accountability!
Backgrounding my concern here is the new legislation pertaining to the governance of the TMAG currently in draft form. It is excellent legislation and sets standards that are achievable by the QVMAG but sadly the QVMAG is not covered by it or, it would seem, not disposed towards meeting such standards. I have written to the Premier et al on this matter and you can see a copy of my correspondence here – http://letters7250.blogspot.com.au/2016/11/draft-tasmanian-museum-art-gallery.html.
It is sometimes said that the two institutions are not comparable (QVMAG & TMAG) but such assertions are unsustainable. Both are somewhat unusually a combination of 'museum' and 'art gallery' but more to the point they themselves compare and contrast their activities but rarely collaborate. Arguably, this is to do with the contrasting governance of the two institutions. Clearly, the losers here are Tasmania's taxpayer and Launceston's ratepayers – and by extension both institutions' donors and sponsors.
Given that it is now well over a year since the Council/Trustees determined, presumably on "expert advice" provided by the general manager in accord with SECTION 65 of the Local Govt. Act 1993, when do you anticipate that the Council's/Trustee's determination made in August 2015 will be implemented?
In asking this I'm mindful of SECTION 62(2) of the Local Govt. Act in that it affords the general manager an extraordinary license of "convenience". Nonetheless, I ask:
- What is seen as being an/the inhibitor (inconvenient?) in regard to implementing the Council's/Trustees' determination?
- What might be holding up the Council's /Trustee's seeing their determination implemented if it is not seen that the advice has been found wanting?
- If so, what is being done to rectify the situation against the likely community concern that the QVMAG is faltering operationally and is reportedly losing staff?
I look forward to the acknowledgement of your receipt of this correspondence in the near future. Likewise, I'd also appreciate your advice in regard to my best course of action in regard to receiving informed and fulsome answers to the questions raised here. For instance, do I need to put these questions to open council?
I look forward to your advice and to answers to my questions in due course.
Regards,
Ray
Ray Norman
<zingHOUSEunlimited>
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Forwarded Message
From: Launceston PR <launcestonpr@bigpond.com>
Date: Sat, 19 Nov 2016 15:44:13 +1100
To: Launceston Projects <launcestonprojects@bigpond.com>
Subject: UTAS & TMAG PARTNERSHIP
http://www.media.utas.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/909371/Uni-TMAG-Partnership.pdf
.....
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