The Australian Government is making appointments to arts bodies and collecting institutions to ensure they remain under strong leadership.
Ms Lauren Moss has been appointed as a member of the Australia Council Board of Creative Australia for a four-year term, replacing Ms Christine Simpson Stokes AM.
The Hon Don Harwin has been appointed as a member of the Council of the Australian National Maritime Museum for a three-year term.
Minister for the Arts, Tony Burke, said the appointees would lend a deep well of expertise to guide the administration of these important organisations.
"Lauren has extensive experience having previously worked in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for almost a decade. Her sound understanding of governance, arts and cultural issues within the Northern Territory will provide another great regional perspective to the Board.
"Don served in the NSW Parliament for many years and his time spent as Minister for the Arts will be a great asset for the Council's governance."
Creative Australia plays a vital role in growing Australia's cultural infrastructure, through investing in creative talent and stimulating the market for Australian stories to be told on a national and international scale.
The Australian National Maritime Museum is dedicated to exploring Australia's maritime history through topics of migration, archaeology, ocean science, commerce, culture and lifestyle, and honours the stories of First Nations peoples' living cultural connection to ancestral waters.
Ms Lauren Moss was elected at 27 years old as a member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly, having served as the Member for Casuarina for almost ten years. She has held portfolio positions in Equality and Inclusion, Environment, Climate Change and Water Security, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, Youth and Seniors, Education, Children, Women, Tourism, Sport and Culture, including the Arts. As Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Ms Moss was responsible for initiatives including the establishment of Arts Trail funding and the Street Art Festival, increased funding for the screen sector and promotion of the economic value of the Territory's Creative Industries. Before entering Parliament, Ms Moss was involved in various roles focusing on youth advocacy, alcohol harm minimisation and mental health, and was involved as a Youth Ambassador, Advisor and member to a number of youth mental health and youth affairs organisations.
The Hon Don Harwin served in the New South Wales Parliament for 23 years in a range of roles, including five years as the Minister for the Arts and 6 years as President of the Legislative Council. Mr Harwin has considerable background and experience in leadership, governance, policy, and arts advocacy. Mr Harwin currently holds a number of Board memberships including Chair of Music in the Regions Ltd and as a director of the Australia Youth Trust which supports initiatives to secure better health and education outcomes for young people in developing Commonwealth countries. Mr Harwin previously served as a Member of the Australia Council for the Arts, now operating as Creative Australia.
