This is right in line with the NSW Ministry of Arts deciding that grant recipients should be kept anonymous to preserve their 'privacy'. It's commonplace now that public bodies believe they have the right to conceal all their deliberations and decisions from the taxpayers who fund them. This represents the privatisation - or perhaps the cronyisation - of the public sphere.
Oh look out when you're being 'refreshed'. That was word of choice here in Scarborough Beach WA when the Barnett govt decided we were a state (you guessed it) icon, and commandeered governance from the local Council to an unelected Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. (Yes, it was and continues to be disastrous.) And anyway, why does a State Library need to amplify its voice nationally and internationally?
Isn't this just what decline and fall looks like? Corruption, redaction and a general malaise of entropic drain circling until everyone sort of shrugs their shoulders and gives up. It started in the 1970s with the destruction of marvellous Melbourne and has just continued at a steady pace, although the slope may be starting to get steeper.
I'm surprised the State Library has lasted this long to be honest. Hopefully we can have some sort of revitalisation movement, but enough people have to actually care for this to happen.
That FOI result is a goddamn disgrace.
You appear to be a lone voice on this subject, Gideon. Please keep writing about it.
This is right in line with the NSW Ministry of Arts deciding that grant recipients should be kept anonymous to preserve their 'privacy'. It's commonplace now that public bodies believe they have the right to conceal all their deliberations and decisions from the taxpayers who fund them. This represents the privatisation - or perhaps the cronyisation - of the public sphere.
Great stuff, Gideon. Illuminating as always. You’re the Stephen Mayne of the bibliothecal world 🙂
Why isn’t the rest of the media writing about this? Anyway, keep going.
Oh look out when you're being 'refreshed'. That was word of choice here in Scarborough Beach WA when the Barnett govt decided we were a state (you guessed it) icon, and commandeered governance from the local Council to an unelected Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority. (Yes, it was and continues to be disastrous.) And anyway, why does a State Library need to amplify its voice nationally and internationally?
Isn't this just what decline and fall looks like? Corruption, redaction and a general malaise of entropic drain circling until everyone sort of shrugs their shoulders and gives up. It started in the 1970s with the destruction of marvellous Melbourne and has just continued at a steady pace, although the slope may be starting to get steeper.
I'm surprised the State Library has lasted this long to be honest. Hopefully we can have some sort of revitalisation movement, but enough people have to actually care for this to happen.
Great work Gideon! "Bonfire of banalities" razing "Corporate Bullshit Bingo" Don Watson would be smiling as are the rest of us..