With the constantly changing political and social climate, it’s hard to keep up with key events that take place. Each week we curate a selection of notable events so that you can remain informed about current art, design, sustainability and marketing developments. 

Australia’s First ‘Wellbeing Budget’ Neglects the Wellbeing of the Arts

An idea discarded nearly a decade ago, Treasurer Jim Chalmers promised that this budget would not only judge the success of the government’s spending against GDP and income per person, but also take into account whether or not it improves the overall wellbeing of Australians. It's an idea that is used in other parts of the world such as New Zealand and Scotland and measures success beyond financial prosperity. But why is it that the arts have been seemingly forgotten?

The Coalition introduced austerity measures in their last budget, and the new budget reflects a continuation of those measures as funding is projected to decline from $860 million in 2022-23 to $771 million in 2023-24 under forward estimates. According to Arts Minister Tony Burke, future arts funding will be laid out with the Cultural Policy, to be delivered later in the year. 

There is some positive news for the arts. The ABC will receive $83.7 million in restorative funding over the course of the next four years, effectively reversing the Coalition’s funding cuts. To support live event organisers affected by Covid-19, $22 million will be put forward to establish a live performance support fund. $5 million will support the National Aboriginal and Islander Skills Development Association Dance College, $2.4 million will support artist residencies and education at Bundanon and $5 million will support ongoing delivery of courses at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. The budget takes into account the merging of Creative Partnerships Australia into the Australia Council. 

The Socceroos Criticise Qatar’s Human Rights Abuse

The Socceroos have spoken out with a politically-charged video standing up for the rights of migrant workers and pushing for the decriminalisation of same-sex relationships in Qatar. In the video they acknowledge that Qatar has taken steps by abolishing the Kafala system (that allowed employers to take away workers’ passports and stopped them from changing jobs) but mentioned that as much as it was an “important and welcome step, their implementation remains inconsistent and requires improvement”. The Kafala system effectively returned after two months, with employers needing to approve a resignation. 

Global events like the Fifa World Cup will improve the gross abuse of migrant workers and promote acceptance of same-sex relationships by spotlighting those issues on a global scale - right? Yet before a single ball has been kicked, the World Cup made conditions worse for migrant workers by requiring large infrastructure to be built - in overbearing temperatures and with a minimum wage of one pound per day - with no regulation, consideration or accountability for the blatant human rights violations. 

Other teams are planning to protest in Qatar as well, with Denmark wearing all-black playing shirts to honour workers who died in the construction of stadiums and infrastructure, while another nine teams will wear ‘one love’ armbands. 

Jury Discharged for Lehrmann Case Following Misconduct

The jury of the Bruce Lehrmann trial have all been dismissed following the discovery of a ‘research paper’ on sexual assault amongst one juror’s belongings. Research on the case and topics relating to it is strictly forbidden as it can affect integrity towards the outcome. Chief Justice Lucy McCallum said, “I have heard an explanation and it may be that no harm has been done, but that is not a risk that I can take. In the circumstances, I have discharged that juror and I have to discharge you all.”

McCallum informed the court that the paper was about the “unhelpfulness of attempting to quantify the prevalence of false complaints [in sexual assault cases] and a deeper analysis for the reasons for false complaints and scepticism in the face of true complaints”. In a case where the central focus is a rape allegation, mens right activists ideologies perpetuating the idea that women falsify rape complaints is extremely damaging to the legitimacy of the jury and the outcome of the trial. The prevalence of false reporting of sexual assault is low, between 2-10%. But the fact is that 87% of women do not contact the police. It is more likely that women do not report sexual assault than falsify reports. 

Since last Wednesday the jury have been deliberating, and have been unable to come to a unanimous decision. Lerhmann faces a retrial early next year on February 20, 2023. He still maintains his not guilty plea in the rape allegations against him. 

Arnott’s Discontinues Sales of Classic Assorted, Bringing Tears to Many Office Break Rooms

The silent removal of an iconic Australian biscuit selection has resulted in an outpour of sadness and upset across Australian households and work break rooms. Arnott’s confirmed that “due to ongoing low sales and limited shelf space in supermarkets, the difficult decision was made to stop production of this product”. Arnott’s food scientist Russell Stuart weighed in on the conversation, adding that, “I think it could be the beginning of the end of bikkies… they’re declining, there’s so much other new stuff out there and only the oldies eat it.” 

Despite the Classic Assorted being removed, the Family Favourites and Cream Favourites are still available, alongside a new High Tea pack. 

Adidas Begrudgingly Cuts Ties With Kanye West

It appears that Adidas can excuse pro-life sentiments, hate speech supporting white supremacists, remarks that “slavery was a choice”, anti-vax discourse and post-separation domestic abuse for lucrative Yeezy sales. However it was antisemitic remarks by Kanye West that was the straw that broke the camel’s back over a decade-long partnership with the Nazi-founded company. And even then it took weeks for the company to drop West whilst neo-Nazi groups, spurred on by his words, proceeded to go after Jewish people. It was only after West proudly bragged that, “I can literally say antisemitic shit and they cannot drop me” did they finally cut ties. 

The collaboration with West reportedly brings in $2 billion per year, or approximately 10% of the company’s revenue. However in an age where corporations are recognised as holding social power and are expected to exercise corporate social responsibility, Adidas has remained tight-lipped towards their controversial partner. Their continued collaboration with West, who is directly enabled to spread antisemitic hate speech and divisive discourse that inspires neo-Nazi groups is damaging to Adidas’ brand image. Their silence and inaction until now speaks volumes on where their beliefs lie - with the $2 billion in annual revenue - and has unintentionally shined a spotlight on Adidas’ Nazi roots that they have never addressed. 

In a statement that feels too little too late, the company stated that "Adidas does not tolerate anti-Semitism and any other sort of hate speech. Ye's recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company's values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness." 

UK’s First Prime Minister of Colour - A Cause For Celebration?

The UK recently welcomed its third prime minister over the span of two months with the induction of Rishi Sunak, the country’s first prime minister of colour. However whilst many people have been quick to support a non-white prime minister, in their rush they have overlooked Sunak’s regressive policies. His policies serve to further disadvantage immigrants, asylum seekers and people of colour. He has vowed to cap refugee numbers into the UK, cut taxes for the wealthier class (which ultimately limits government-funded services in low income areas), and pledged to deport foreign criminals in a harsh three-strike system. 

Representation of people of colour in politics is important, especially in a field dominated by caucasian people who cannot share the lived experiences of people of colour. However identity politics can only go so far for Sunak, multimillionaire, former hedge fund boss and one of the richest MPs in the UK, whose policies only serve to marginalise and disadvantage people of colour. 

Following Up On Just Stop Oil’s Van Gogh Vandalism 

Last week we covered Van Gogh’s Sunflowers being souped as part of a stunt by Just Stop Oil to spread their dismay at Prime Minister Liz Truss’ government reversing a 2019 ban on fracking in England and opening a new licensing round for oil and gas operations in the North Sea. That protest was successful in grabbing people’s attention, and now their communications plan has evolved to target private corporations and harmful climate deniers. 

Just Stop Oil have continued their month of protests, this time spraying paint onto two luxury car dealers - Ferrari and Bentley - as well as climate denier lobby group Global Warming Policy Foundation, who manage Net Zero Watch. Over the past month they have also stopped traffic several times by glueing themselves to the pavement and pie-faced King Charles II’s wax figure. 

When spreading a message, activists must choose between two outcomes: moderate actions that are largely ignored or more extreme actions that gain attention through negative publicity. The latter encourages critics to delegitimise their cause and dismiss what could be valid demands, but it does spread seeds of conversation towards possible change. Climate action is certainly needed, but how effective is it when it turns the public against the protesters?