Please find attached an Open Letter from the Convener of the Save Super Art campaign, Tom Lowenstein that was sent to Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday:
WILL YOU PLEASE ALLOW THE AUSTRALIAN ARTS INDUSTRY TO MOVE FORWARD
The Australian Greens have now publicly stated their opposition to the Cooper recommendations to ban artworks from self-managed superannuation funds. Deputy Leader Christine Milne has made this statement:
The Greens totally oppose the Cooper Review’s recommendation to remove art from DIY superannuation. Such a move would undermine the art market and the creative culture in Australia, especially for new and emerging and indigenous artists. The question has to be asked, why is it OK to invest in high risk shares but not in artists?
With the Liberal Party also publicly stating their opposition it is incumbent on the Federal Government to also rule out these proposals and bring back certainty to a fragile market.
This issue is now urgent with the Melbourne Art Fair less than two weeks from opening. Does Prime Minister Gillard really want the premiere Australian art fair to be reported as an international flop two weeks before the election date of 21 August?
Australian galleries and consultants have been left in limbo since 29 April and will be unable to advise their SMSF clients to purchase artworks at the Melbourne Art Fair unless the Cooper proposals are ruled out before then.
The Australian Artists Association presented the Minister for Finance, Chris Bowen, new guidelines to enable SMSFs to hold their artwork collections on 30 June and meet the regulatory concerns of the Cooper Report. We are still awaiting a reply.
We now urge supporters of the campaign to write directly to Julia Gillard by post. Attached is a letter that you can add comments to, print off and post to the Prime Minister. You can address your letter to one or both of these addresses:
1. Office of the Prime Minister
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
2. ALP National Secretariat
Unit 5, 9 Sydney Avenue
Barton ACT 2600
You can also email any comments about this issue to laborconnect@australianlabor.com.au or to info@cbr.alp.org.au.
For more information and to send your comments to the Minister for Finance and his junior the Minister for the Arts please visit www.savesuperart.org.au.
Read the Open Letter from Tom Lowenstein to Julia Gillard, HERE
Write directly to Julia Gillard, HERE. Simply print, comment on and send the letter attached to the above addresses.
Read the ALP’s unidentified response to Michael Fox’s recent campaign letter, HERE
21 Comments
1 Maryanne wrote:
Simple, just don’t vote for her.
2 Labor Connect wrote:
Thank you for contacting Australian Labor. We value your comments and queries and we appreciate the time and trouble taken to contact us.
While it is of course not always possible to respond to every submission in detail, all emails are read and forwarded appropriately to relevant parties.
We encourage you to contact your local MP or join the discussion on our blog if you have specific area of interest.
You can look up the details of your local member here
http://alp.org.au/labor-people
Kindest Regards,
Labor HQ Team
3 Andrea Candiani wrote:
I shall do!
4 Donna Williams wrote:
I fully support the protest against the Cooper recommendation on SMSF holdings of artworks.
5 Amber Caitlan Parry wrote:
Dear Michael,
Just want to say a huge thank you for your tireless efforts in dealing so constructively with the debacle!
Although not an “artist” myself, but as the daughter of contemporary Australian artist Ian Parry, I know how vital this issue is.
My grandchildren need this work to be done!
Much SUPPORT and
Thank you so much
Amber Caitlan Parry
6 Belinda Fox wrote:
Hi Tom and Michael,
Thanks for all your lobbying on our behalf. I have been emailing and sending letters as you request. Lets hope something works…. Kind regards Belinda
7 Nick Morris wrote:
This is the most damaging proposal to Artists and collectors of all time of which I am both. I am just hanging in there as a full time artist and bring thousands of dollars into this country via overseas exhibitions. I know for a fact how many people buy my art through super funds. If Labour gets off on shutting down small business, because that’s what artists are, then bring in your bloody proposal. Not to mention forcing me to sell my collection when there will be a flood of art on the market due to this ludicrous campaign.
8 Gordon Fitchett wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
9 Pat Corrigan wrote:
Well done Michael and Tom good luck
10 Nobby Seymour wrote:
I have forwarded the attached letter to the PM’s Office, with the extra comment:-
‘Governments finally rake off huge amounts in CGT from the sale of successful artist’s work, usually well after they are dead. Extract the digit PM or I’m voting for the Greens.’
Though I am not in the market where anyone has, or would, buy my work for an investment, or even for that matter a moment of illicit pleasure, I must commend you Michael for your perspicacity and tenacity in championing our case before the Philistines.
11 Iain Smale wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
12 Lachlan Edgcumbe wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
13 Kristine Drew wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
14 Bruce Salmon wrote:
Mr Cooper if you really want to protect the values of superannuation, why don’t you concentrate on the big super funds. They are allowed to lose up to 50% of their value with no questions asked. You are talking billion not thousands when compared to art investment.
15 Tom Slattery wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
16 Jon Reade wrote:
The Cooper Report will affect thousands of Australian Indigenous Artists and not in a good way. Leave art on SMSF’s please.
17 Mark Seares wrote:
Dear Ms Parke,
We are most concerned at recommendations made to your Government by Mr Jeremy Cooper in relation to Artworks held for investment in self-managed superannuation funds.
I am a property valuer, real estate agent and finance broker and with my partner, have invested heavily over many years in superannuation to assure our needs are met in retirement.
We have studied the markets and made what we believe to be astute investments in quality Australian artists, along with equities and property.
If we are forced to divest ourselves of the artwork held in our SMSF we will undoubtedly lose a significant proportion of our superannuation savings. In fact, there is already anecdotal evidence that the fear of your Government implementing these recommendations, has dramatically affected sales and potential realisations. If all the investment in art by SMSF’s is to be dumped upon a fragile market over a five year period, the results will be catastrophic in terms of values, industry employment and artists themselves, particularly indigenous art, which is very largely driven by its investment appeal.
Like many, we have incurred substantial losses in equities and managed funds through the GFC, despite the so-called “protective measures” Mr Cooper and his like at the ASIC have put into place. During the same
period, our SMSF art has steadily increased, according to independent re-valuation. It is difficult enough to make investment decisions that will ultimately determine your retirement lifestyle, without the Government moving the goal-posts continually; it is draconian that it should also dictate what we may or may not invest in.
We strongly urge you to reject this recommendation from The Cooper Report. The arts are being detrimentally affected already and your Government’s position needs to be made clear before the election.
We look forward to your response before that date.
Yours Sincerely
Mark Seares
18 Athina Astras wrote:
I have been in the Arts for over 40 years, as a Gallery Owner and Valuer for the Tax Incentive Scheme for the past 25 years. I give 100% Support to the Save Super Art Campaign.
19 Franck Gohier wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
20 Chayni Henry wrote:
Dear Mr Cooper, Government Ministers and Opposition Spokespeople
I support the SAVE SUPER ART campaign against the Cooper Review recommendations banning art investments in Self Managed Super Funds. The recommendations are fundamentally flawed, serve no good purpose, are already creating damaging uncertainty in the Australian art market, and, if implemented, would create disastrous “unintended consequences” for the Australian art industry.
21 Michelle Perry wrote:
The visual arts industry is already reeling from the effects of the financial crisis with sales at an all time low. The resale royalty scheme is an ill-conceived nightmare and now plans are afoot to inflict the final blow via the Cooper Review recommendations. We are barely surviving as it is. It is vital that somebody listen to our pleas for help and take positive action to stimulate a dying art market.