The Abbott government has appointed the former opinion editor of Rupert Murdoch’s flagship Australian newspaper to the board of the Australia Council.
Rebecca Weisser has been appointed by the arts minister, George Brandis, to the country’s premier arts funding body for three years.
Brandis on Friday noted Weisser’s strong interest in travel and languages, as well as her long media and diplomatic career.
In a statement, Brandis said: “Ms Weisser has had a long and rich career as a journalist, editor, communications consultant and diplomat, and will bring this extensive experience across a number of fields to her position on the board of the council.”
“Ms Weisser is committed to the arts, has a strong interest in travel and languages and holds a Bachelor of Arts from the Australian National University,” he said.
“I congratulate Ms Weisser on her appointment. She will contribute considerable expertise to the work of the board as it leads and steers the Australia Council during a time of transition.”
The appointment is likely to raise some eyebrows in an already fractious arts community. Brandis has faced intense criticism from Australia’s arts community over funding cuts, and the criticism has spilled over into a social media campaign called the George Brandis Live Arts Experience.
More than 12,000 people have signed a petition opposing “the dramatic funding cuts to the arts announced in the recent federal budget” which included shifting more than $100m away from the Australia Council.
