STATEMENTS ON SIGNIFICANT MATTERS
Mr BURKE (Watson—Minister for the Arts, Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Cyber Security, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship and Leader of the House) (09:01): The Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale is an arts award of the highest international esteem. Bangarra Dance Theatre has been recognised with the prestigious Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Dance by the dance division of the Venice Biennale.
This marks Australia's third Golden Lion win, after Archie Moore's 2024 Golden Lion for Best National Participation with Kith and Kin and Back to Back Theatre's 2024 Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement in Theatre. The Golden Lion awards have existed for 77 years. Australia had never won one, and now we've had three in three years.
Bangarra's recognition is historic, as the first company to receive the Golden Lion for dance. Traditionally awarded to individual dancers and choreographers, this decision recognises the collective power of First Nations storytelling at the highest level of international dance. The award speaks volumes about the power of Bangarra not simply as a dance company but as an ensemble grounded in collective storytelling, cultural leadership and artistic excellence—a group whose very name looms like a magnificent giant on our artistic landscape, wrapped in an ever-evolving aura of excitement and expectation.
The award is a tribute to an exceptional company. At the heart of Bangarra's success is its commitment to cultural integrity and genuine collaboration with First Nations communities—a commitment that is as powerful as it is entire. Every single new work begins on country.
It begins with elders. It begins with cultural exchange that's grounded in trust, truth and respect, long before a single movement reaches the stage. Drawing on years of living culture that goes back to the first sunrise, Bangarra creates powerful works of theatre that integrate dance, music, poetry and design—stories that cross lands and rivers, generations and time.
Each performance is deeply connected to country and to the living cultures from which the dance emerges. It is also where each final work is returned. The award will be presented later this year in Venice, where Bangarra will present its European premiere of Terrain.
Choreographed by Bangarra's artistic director and co-chief executive officer, Mirning woman Frances Rings, Terrain evokes a convergence of body and land, drawing spirit into place. It reconnects audiences with the energy of country and the enduring strength of the people who care for its future. Through works such as Terrain, Bangarra is taking First Nations stories to the world.
As these works are shared across Europe, they demonstrate what Revive, our national cultural policy, puts in its first pillar, First Nations First. Here we have stories at the heart of Australia's cultural life, carried internationally through artistic excellence and cultural leadership. Bangarra's contribution does not begin and end on the stage.
It grows ever outwards, nurturing the very environment that is its wellspring. Indeed, Bangarra's commitment to dance education and community engagement, youth outreach and the development of the next generation of dancers, choreographers and storytellers is the very heartbeat of its legacy. The Albanese Labor government is proud to support Bangarra through Creative Australia.
Its contribution to First Nations cultural preservation, artistic development, collaboration and innovation is immense. My sincere congratulations on behalf of all the parliament to all the dancers; choreographers; executive, artistic and production staff; and supporters. Over three decades they have built Bangarra Dance Theatre into a national treasure, one that lights up every stage it touches and blazes brightly in our hearts.
It is a glow with which they have enveloped the world. And now, with this Golden Lion at the Venice Biennale—one of the greatest honours that can be bestowed in the arts, especially dance—they've done all Australia proud. This is not simply Bangarra appearing on the world stage.
This is Bangarra owning it.