Alan Jones Today Show Editorial

………. This is in the wake of talk that three State orchestras were going to be slashed because the Federal Government's got a new era Orchestras Review Report, some economic rationalist bureaucrat would have taken out a hot knife and a red pen.

So the Queensland Orchestra was to be reduced from 85 to 74, the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra from 47 to 38, the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra from 75 to

56.

Then we were told that there was strong party room opposition this week.

That's in the Coalition party room in Canberra.

And now we're going to talk about "more flexible work contracts".

What does that mean?

Either cut people, cut hours, cut pay or all three.

And there's also talk that the size of the orchestras will be tied to the level of funding they get from the States.

So the States come into the debate.

The answer to this question, if indeed we're asking a question, is provide the funding.

There are some things surely about which economic rationalism is not relevant.

There are some things important to the national psyche which shouldn't have to pay their way.

Let's face it, we're happy to spend millions of dollars winning a Rugby franchise in WA, and well done to the Gallop Government.

We pour fortunes into the Institute of Sport, and so we should.

We fund, to the tune of billions of dollars, the intellectual resources of the country, training in our universities.

Well, this is our artistic heritage and legacy and responsibility.

Oscar Wilde said, "Music is the art which is most nigh to tears and memory."

Often the public believe that if it's not a gold medal and it's not sport, it doesn't matter to Government.

Well this is the acid test.

Are we cultural slobs, or are we prepared to step up to the plate and get behind our orchestras and the Sydney Dance Company, when we know their cultural worth and the level of community support that they enjoy.

So let's forget the debate. Provide the money, and get on with it.