Malinauskas’ SA Museum intervention should go further, overhaul critics say

Critics of a controversial plan to restructure the SA Museum say a “rapid review” of the push does not go far enough.

A government-led review of SA Museum’s proposed restructure doesn’t go far enough and should consider a management reshuffle, critics say.

Premier Peter Malinauskas on Friday commissioned a “rapid review” of the restructure led by a government-appointed team, including SA’s chief scientist professor Craig Simmons.

The ‘Reimagining the Museum’ plan had proposed 27 job losses in the research and collections team, to be replaced with 22 mostly lower-level positions.

It was met with fierce backlash, which included garnering international attention, a protest and an open letter to the premier signed by 350 prominent Australians.

Dr Catherine Kemper welcomed the review – to consider the museum’s research and curatorial functions, First Nations repatriation and displays – but said it should be broadened to the institution’s management.

“Many influential people, who have donated money, will not support the museum into the future unless there is significant change in management,” Dr Kemper, who worked at the museum for nearly four decades, said.

Premier Peter Malinauskas. Picture: Keryn Stevens

“What is really needed is a change in culture, because there has been so much hurt about how the proposed restructure has been handled that I don’t think people will forget for a very long time.”

Other changes had included abolishing the molecular biology unit – which helped discover 500 new species – and the museum transitioning to a curatorial model for research.

Museum director Dr David Gaimster also told a parliamentary committee he could not guarantee the Egyptian, minerals, biodiversity and polar exhibitions would continue in their present form.

Mr Malinauskas met this week with Dr Gaimster and museum board chair Kim Cheater, and a representative group concerned about the changes.

“There is a lot of goodwill on behalf of the museum’s leadership to make sure the museum has a path that is modern and reflects an appropriate evolution into the future,” he said.

“At the same time, there are interim questions that need to be examined from those who are concerned about the restructure.”

Rally to Save the SA Museum from funding cuts at the Adelaide Parliament House. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Mr Malinauskas did not rule out more funding in the upcoming budget for the museum, which over the past decade has fallen to about $11m in 2022/23 – almost all was from a government grant.

“It won’t be a blank cheque for the museum, far from it, but we are open minded to a pragmatic response to get the right outcome for this much-loved institution and its path forward,” he said.

He dismissed questions that he had only intervened in the museum debate to quash perception he was more interested in funding sports events, following the AFL Gather Round and this weekend’s LIV Golf tournament.

“Arts and culture has always been a central part of who we are as a state and that is worthy of investment and preservation,” he said.

“We’re trying to cater for multiple markets to uplift the state as best we possibly can.”

He said the government had committed a combined $18m of new money for the Adelaide Fringe, Adelaide Festival and for new grants within the arts sector.

South Australian Museum on North Terrace in Adelaide. Picture: Tom Huntley

Jane Lomax-Smith speaks at the Rally to save the SA Museum from funding cuts at the Adelaide Parliament House. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Opposition leader David Speirs said the government should never have allowed the restructure to get to this point and “Mr Malinauskas must reverse the cuts, save jobs and safeguard one of our state’s key cultural institutions”.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith, a former museum board chair, said the museum’s “parlous financial situation” was well-documented 15 years ago.

Dr Gaimster acknowledged the affection in which the museum was held by South Australians and looked forward to the recommendations “to take the museum forward”.

Stewart Gonda, of Parkside, visited with his son, Kai, 5, and his son’s friends Jimmy, 7, and Jude, 4.

“When you’ve got kids it’s a good way to get them out of the house and I like seeing my kids learn when they’re here,” Mr Gonda said.

The review panel, led by Department of Premier and Cabinet chief executive Damien Walker, will report back to the government by the middle of the year.