Petition against SA Museum restructure tabled in state parliament

A 10,000 signatory petition has been tabled with state parliament urging the government to abolish a drastic restructure of the institution.

A rally to save the SA Museum from funding cuts held at Parliament House, in April. Picture: Kelly Barnes

A 10,000 signatory petition calling for a proposed restructure of the South Australian Museum to be abolished, has been tabled in state parliament.

The Opposition has ramped up its effort to save 27 scientific research positions at the museum, which were earmarked to be replaced with 22 junior curatorial roles.

The petition also called for an inquiry into the strategic direction of the museum and the financial support needed to fulfil its obligations to scientific research.

It comes as findings of a state government-led review of the restructure, launched in April following public outcry to the changes, was believed to be imminent.

Deputy Liberal leader John Gardner said with more than 10,500 signatures, the petition showed the “deep concerns” held by many South Australians over the museum’s future.

“Peter Malinauskas needs to step up today, restore the budget, cancel the new direction revealed in the museum’s ‘re-imaging’, and once and for all cancel the restructure that has put all those important scientific research jobs at risk,” Mr Gardner said.

He added funding needed to be reinstated to the museum, following “successive budget cuts” which saw it halved to about $11m in 2022-23.

Deputy Liberal leader John Gardner tabled a 10,000-signature petition to stop a restructure of the SA Museum. Pictured with former museum scientists Dr Cath Kemper and Dr Mark Hutchinson. Picture: Supplied

Dr Mark Hutchinson, a former senior curator of reptiles at the museum, said current employees had told him of their distress at the plan.

“I know from talking to them how desperately alarmed they are that their jobs they’ve devoted their entire lives to are about to fizzle out completely,” Dr Hutchinson said.

“They’re being told by the museum that it’s short of money and therefore science is disposable and dispensable.”

The proposed restructure has garnered international attention and, in April, saw 350 prominent Australians sign an open letter to the premier.

Arts Minister Andrea Michaels acknowledged the role the museum played in the community.

“The South Australian Museum is incredibly important to the people of South Australia and we have seen the community’s passion and understand the community’s concerns,” Ms Michaels said.

“As a result, the proposal is on hold while the premier’s review is under way. I look forward to making an announcement with the premier shortly.”

An SA Museum spokesperson said the review was established to “develop a new pathway for the museum’s future”.

“The premier’s review panel will provide recommendations to the government that ensure the museum continues to deliver quality outcomes for all South Australians,” the spokesperson said. “We look forward to its recommendations, which are expected in the coming weeks.”

Originally published as Petition against SA Museum restructure tabled in state parliament