NSW Treasury reconciliation artworks slammed as waste of taxpayer money

Mark Latham has labelled a $38,000 taxpayer-funded reconciliation painting as an “indulgence”.

Spending $38,000 on a “reconciliation” painting for a NSW Treasury staff common room and associated brochure artwork has been criticised as a “ridiculous” waste of taxpayer funds that would have been better spent on the people of Walgett.

One Nation MP Mark Latham and Indigenous social commentators Jacinta Price and Josephine Cashman questioned the priorities of the State Government, saying practical solutions were more important than symbolism.

The "Regeneration" painting by artist Josie Rose now hanging in the staffroom of NSW Treasury. Picture: Supplied

NSW Treasury commissioned the Crows Nest-based Aboriginal agency Balarinji to design the artwork for a “Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan” document and style guide. The $37,691 spend also included an abstract acrylic painting by artist Josie Rose to be hung in the communal area.

Mr Latham said it was an “indulgence” when the state had lost its Triple A credit rating.

“Instead of $38,000 for a kitchen painting that could have paid for a school literacy tutor or community nurse two to three days a week in Walgett where the Indigenous community is in crisis,” Mr Latham said.

One Nation’s Mark Latham. Picture: Richard Dobson

Grilling treasury secretary Michael Pratt about the expenditure during budget estimates, Mr Latham asked what the department was doing to close the Indigenous gap in Inverell and Walgatt.

Mr Pratt said he could not “specifically answer that” but the painting was “an important symbol of our reconciliation action plan” and “it reminds people daily of the commitment that I and others have made to that plan”.

Mr Latham: “You could not find a cheaper symbol than $38,000 of taxpayers’ money?”

Mr Pratt: “I am not an artist. It is not for me to comment on the value of paintings, but this was commissioned for that purpose, Mr Latham.”

Ms Cashman, a lawyer and advocate for Indigenous people, said the government should focus on practical solutions such as gaining dignity by independence, home ownership and fresh affordable food.

Aboriginal businesswoman and lawyer Josephine Cashman. Picture: Kym Smith

Centre for Independent Studies director of Indigenous program Jacinta Nampijinpa Price. Picture: Emma Murray

“Although it’s a lovely painting, the people at Wilcannia could have built a weatherboard classroom or community centre for $38,000 and would have sent a large framed photograph of it to Treasury as a sign of reconciliation,” she said.

Centre for Independent Studies director of Indigenous program Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who recently issued a research paper on Indigenous disadvantage, said “symbols don’t cut the mustard anymore”.

“It’s not making any significant change to the lives of marginalised Australians,” she said. “Yet we see the symbolism of virtue done over and over again.

“It is nice to support an artist, but the money could be better spent. What is the practical benefit? There is none.”

NSW Treasury head Michael Pratt. Picture: Richard Dobson

She said her recent research highlighted how Indigenous school attendance rates had gone backwards between 2018 and 2019, and were now sitting on 82 per cent compared to 92 per cent for non-Indigenous children.

“Education is the key to better outcomes, as well as better safety with family violence and employment opportunities.”

The "Regeneration" artwork in NSW Treasury documents.

NSW Treasury Secretary Michael Pratt said the painting itself cost $5000.

“The $38,000 cost included sourcing and engaging the artist, concept development of Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) design, and design development of final RAP document, provision of a RAP artwork style guide for associated collateral products, artists fees and cost of physical artwork,” he said.

“The only other costs associated with the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan were related to the printing of the plan.”