Overview

• Unionised employees staged a midday stop‑work and rally outside the Art Gallery of NSW, marking the first industrial action there in about a decade.
• The gallery has proposed cutting 51 of 382 roles to reduce costs, with the formal staff consultation extended by two weeks due to heavy feedback.
• Union officials argue only one manager is among the positions slated for removal and warn the public will see fewer or lower‑quality exhibitions.
• NSW budget papers show the Powerhouse Museum’s projected wages bill will rise by $9 million to $60.6 million, drawing criticism as much of the institution remains closed to visitors.
• Create NSW is also reducing 24 positions for about $5 million in annual savings, underscoring broader arts portfolio retrenchment across the state.