TWO themes recur in a conversation with Simon Crean about the national cultural policy.
First, the Arts Minister is nothing if not consultative: he has sought submissions and opinions on the policy from every quarter, convened reference groups and commissioned independent reviews. When the long-awaited policy comes to light later this year, few will be able to say they were not asked about it.
Second, Crean is bringing 42 years of public life to bear on the policy: not only his years as head of the ACTU, or his stint as opposition leader, but the multitude of portfolios he's held, such as trade, employment, education, science and regional development.
The common thread is innovation, and how the economy must be driven by research and creativity.
"The arts has a huge capacity to help underpin that innovative culture," he says. It's a line Crean comes back to time and again.
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