MUSEUM & ART GALLERY ACCOUNTABILITY

“THE Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery has a muddled governance model and has been slow to react to visitor feedback, Auditor-General Mike Blake says.

Mr Blake found that it was unclear who was responsible for TMAG's budget and day-to-day management.

He recommended that the relevant act, which dates back to 1950, be reviewed and updated.

Mr Blake said TMAG also lacked strategic direction.

"There's been discussion in recent years about what the budget for the museum should be, that's not clear," he said.

"If they had a really good, long-term plan, that might inform what the budget should be, so one of the criticisms that we've got is that there isn't a good forward plan."

Mr Blake said TMAG had taken detailed visitor surveys, but said he was not convinced the information was being used for future planning.

Arts Minister Vanessa Goodwin said TMAG's problems were a legacy of the previous government.

"The challenges faced by TMAG are well understood and I can assure members that this government will not shy away from resolving the challenges," she told Parliament.

Dr Goodwin said the government had recently appointed a new director, and TMAG would soon have a new strategic plan.”

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COMMENT: Well if the TMAG’s governance model is “muddled” one has to wonder what the Minister, and the Auditor General, might think of the QVMAG’s model. Actually if they could describe it that would be good!

If the TMAG’s Act needs an update then quite possibly so too does the polyglot of governance models that every museum and art gallery in the State operates under need an update. Actually in many cases, like in Launceston, there is actually a need to put one in place.

The days when the distinction between ‘governance’ and ‘management’ can be allowed to be blurred to facilitate managerial convenience should have been dealt with long ago. Indeed, the Auditor General’s observation about Strategic Planning is pertinent and very timely. Indeed the need for real and accountable “Strategic Planning” has been there for a rather long time.

Museums have a great deal invested in them – social capital, cultural capital and financial resources.

Publicly owned museums and art galleries should no longer be the playgrounds for dilatants albeit that there is plenty of room for ‘citizen participation.’ – indeed its an imperative. As 21st C institutions accountability to their Communities of Interest & Ownership needs to be both clearly defined and enforceable.

When the minister takes on the task of dealing with the TMAG it would be very good if she looked at all the States publicly owned museums and art galleries given what is at risk and at stake.

Ray Norman

Bullying And Accountability

Ugly workplace bullying is at the cutting edge of public perceptions of tolerance and fairness.

This week, internationally, we’ve seen the stakes set very high as they should be. With Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson being sacked for his arrogant and unconscionable behaviour  this, hopefully, points a way forward.

The BBC will be taking a ‘multi million dollar fiscal hit’ but obviously the organisation has judged that it cannot afford the odium of being associated with such untoward behaviours such as Clarkson’s. 

Bullying, once it gets a hold, seeps in everywhere causing fear and dysfunction wherever it goes.

Clearly the BBC sees itself as being accountable to its national and international audiences albeit some are saying ‘look the other way ….this time’.

Interestingly, more than a million people from around the world signed an online petition calling for the BBC to reinstate Clarkson. But the BBC has its standards it seems.

The whole affair is of course a tragedy that’s impacting upon others on the whole Top Gear team. However, do you look the other way in order to actually take care of them?

There is no obvious win-win it seems but a precedent has been set on the international stage.

“Fighting means you could lose. Bullying means you can't. A bully wants to beat somebody; he doesn't want to fight somebody.” Andrew Vachss

The BBC has shown a way. Bullies can loose if you do not look away. However, it just might be a different story in Launceston.

Read more here: http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/jeremy-clarkson-james-may-says-top-gear-host-sacking-by-bbc-tragedy-1493557

Now for the transcript from  The Examiner Tuesday 24th March, 2015

“COUNCIL BULLYING CLAIMS SETTLED

Allegations of workplace bullying at the Launceston City Council have been resolved.

In the council meeting yesterday, Alderman Ted Sands questioned Mayor Albert van Zetten on the handling of allegations involving general manager Robert Dobrzynski.

In response to Alderman Sands’ questions, Alderman van Zetten said the matter had been resolved.

In front of his fellow alderman, Alderman Sands asked why the general manager’s conduct and performance review committee, which Alderman van Zetten chaired, decided not to release the report into the allegations.

Alderman van Zetten said the committee followed legal advice on the matter.

Copies of an internal council report about the allegations were widely leaked in the lead-up to the local government election in October.

Alderman Sands asked why a meeting with all aldermen on the matter was not convened and was told by Alderman van Zetten that the procedure of the council was followed.

Mr Dobrzynski, who re-signed as general manager with the council for another five years, did not comment on the matter.”

Jack Bauer