Sculpture by the Sea: Anthony Albanese’s eleventh-hour lifeline comes too late for 2025 edition

Anthony Albanese says it would be “unfortunate” if Cottesloe’s Sculpture but the Sea doesn’t go ahead next year after he stepped in and handed over two years’ worth of federal funding. Organisers hailed the Prime Minister’s $1.5 million cheque as “absolutely delightful” but said it would not stop them cancelling next year’s event. Arts funding body Creative Australia had rejected an earlier grant application, sparking the decision to call off the event that was scheduled for March 2025. Mr Albanese has pledged $1.5m from AusTrade to ensure the event can be revived, The West Australian revealed today, as he flew into WA ahead of a Federal election that is due before May. “This is just a wonderful result and a great result for the people of Perth,” founder David Handley said. “Sadly it is too late . . . but we can’t be disappointed now. It’s been a challenging process but we’ve got to a good result and, yes, it’s disappointing not to have the exhibition in Cottesloe next year but I’m happy this shores up the future of the exhibition for ever more.” He was confident funding from the State Government and corporate sponsors will “roll” over to 2026, but Mr Albanese said that would be a shame. “The funding will be available immediately. We would like it to go ahead next year,” he told reporters in Perth on Friday. “It’s magnificent. It’s free. It uses the wonderful landscape . . . it’s a great spot there at Cottesloe. And I think it’s unfortunate if it doesn’t go ahead next year, but the funding will be available.” He said part of the rationale behind the federal funding was that Sculptures by the Sea was not just an artistic event but a great tourism drawcard as well, attracting people to Perth. Independent Teal MP Kate Chaney said a “sustainable long-term” funding model was needed, after last minute funding pleas were necessary to save the event in 2010, 2014 and 2019. “This great community event benefits all of Perth and shouldn’t have to lurch from election to election relying on politicial promises,” she said on X. Premier Roger Cook called it “cynical” to link the funding lifeline to electioneering. “I’m really pleased that the Government’s made this gesture,” he told ABC Radio. “We think Sculpture by the Sea should look at other avenues to increase their revenue as well, we know for instance the City of Stirling would love to showcase Sculpture by the Sea down on the Scarborough foreshore which is perhaps better set up for the number of people that flood that event. “(Mr Handley) is as regular as Christmas when it comes to efforts to boost the income from the event and always threatens to cancel it each time and each time we’ve worked hard . . . to make sure the whole project remains viable.” WA Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash said Mr Albanese was embarrassed into coughing up the money, after Liberal candidate for Curtin Tom White made an election promise to fund the event. “Where were all the Federal Labor members and Senators,” Ms Cash said. “This is an iconic Perth event, an iconic Western Australian event. Millions of people have gone to it over the years . . . so clearly they have turned their back on WA. “And as for Kate Chaney... this event is held in her seat, where was the advocacy? There has been none.” Mr Handley said it could have been solved sooner, but he was grateful the money was found now. “It could have been sorted our earlier that’s true but we’re not going to begrudge the great result,” he said. “I want to thank the Prime Minister, he’s done a wonderful job and I want to thank Tom White for his critical support. Both of them together they’ve come to the same conclusion and that’s a good result for everyone.”