The Greens' Information Request

THE GREENS’ INFORMATION REQUEST REVEALS BEHINDTHE-SCENES FUNDING SUPPORT

In 2013, documents4 obtained under the Government Information (Public Access) or GIPA Act revealed that: • In December 2012, an Options Paper was developed at the request of the Deputy DirectorGeneral of Trade and Investment NSW and submitted to the Minister for Arts, but there has still been no action from the current Government.

• Of the MPs who have written to the Arts

Minister requesting more funding for libraries, 55% are from the National Party – the Government is even being lobbied by its own members! • At least 34 separate councils from across

NSW have written to the Minister, advocating for greater state funding of libraries. • Many of the MPs and councils lobbying for library funding reform come from areas where the number of homes without an internet connection is relatively high – providing access to services for those who need it is a key reason to invest in libraries.

4 View the documents at: www.janbarham.org.au/libraries