New legislation to protect overseas loans of cultural objects

New legislation to stop the seizure of cultural objects that are on loan from overseas organisations to Australia’s major cultural institutions, will be introduced during the Spring Session of Parliament. 

Arts Minister Simon Crean made the announcement on Friday at the official opening of the Portrait of Spain: Masterpieces from the Prado exhibition at the Queensland Art Gallery.

“The new legislation will guarantee the return to the lender of cultural objects such as paintings, drawings, sculptures, textiles, stamps and coins, which are brought to Australia on loan for temporary public exhibition,” Mr Crean said.

NAVA warmly welcomes this legislation as until now there has been nothing in place to prevent cultural objects from being seized. This will remove the barriers to Australian galleries borrowing works from overseas institutions and individuals.

Click here to download the Government's Media Release in full.  

For more information visit www.arts.gov.au/consultations/immunity-from-seizure