In 2005, the Cultural Ministers Council discussed the status of the implementation of the outcomes of the Orchestras Review (the Review of Australia's Symphony and Pit Orchestras), which recognised the importance of establishing a robust framework for the future success and sustainability of Australia's symphony and pit orchestras.
The Cultural Ministers Council approved the establishment of an implementation reference group to oversee the implementation of the key recommendations of the Orchestras Review. The Cultural Ministers Council agreed that the circumstances of individual orchestras needed to be considered as part of the implementation. The Major Performing Arts Board of the Australia Council had principal responsibility on behalf of the Australian Government for overseeing the implementation of the agreed recommendations of the Orchestras Review.
In 2006, the Cultural Ministers Council noted developments on the implementation of the government-agreed recommendations of the Orchestra Review, including progress on the divestment of the symphony orchestras from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The Cultural Ministers Council noted that the orchestras were working towards divestment from the ABC by the end of 2006.
The Cultural Ministers Council also noted the commitment of substantial resources to implement the review’s key recommendations and the significant steps which were taken towards divestment. The Cultural Ministers Council agreed to provide flexibility in the timing of funding payments to orchestras to assist them in managing the divestment process.
The Orchestras Review Implementation Reference Group completed its work in 2006 and in November 2006 the Cultural Ministers Council Standing Committee agreed to formally cease the group.