That strategy will be presented to the expenditure review committee next year in his absence after he announced his departure from the ministry on Saturday and,at the end of this parliamentary term,his exit from politics.
Harwin had many detractors but none would begrudge the energy the lover of music,visual arts,and dance brought to his portfolio.
One of his last functions as minister was to officially open the Theatre Royal,which at one point was going to be turned into a food court.
Having convinced the owners to let the government to take out a 55-year lease on the theatre site,his office then went to an expression of interest and British impresario Howard Panter took on the theatre project.Jagged Little Pill opened there earlier this month.
“He was a legendary arts minister. What he achieved during his five years will have lasting generational impact.”
Powerhouse Museum chief executive Lisa Havilah
Harwin was a self-employed consultant on public affairs and politics before he was elected to State Parliament in 1999. Appointed in 2017 to the arts ministry,Harwin set about extending its reach to the regions and western Sydney.
Under former premier Gladys Berejiklian,arts had a seat at the centre table of government. As a Berejiklian loyalist,Harwin delivered record capital works spending for the Australian Museum ($50.5 million),Powerhouse at Ultimo ($480-$500 million),Sydney Modern ($240 million) and Walsh Bay Arts Precinct ($370 million).