Changes to the South Australian Museum research and collections division in 2024 halted by protests and review

A protest rally in 2024 outside state partliament house on North Terrace, Adelaide city, against the proposed changes to the restructure of the South Australian Museum’s research and collections division. The changes were halted after a review set up by the state government and professor Robert Saint (at right) became presiding member of the museum board. Saint was a distinguished geneticist and molecular biologist.
Images courtesy ABC (Australian Broadcasting Corporation) News, Adelaide, and Adelaide University

The cherished traditional role of the South Australian Museum provoked strong reaction in 2024 to proposed changes to its role.

In February 2024, the museum's chief executive David Gaimster announced a "reimagining" of the North Terrace, Adelaide city, institution into a contemporary experience that, he said, would do "justice" for South Australians. The changes meant 27 positions in the research and collections division would be abolished and replaced with 22 lower-ranked jobs.

Flinders University professor Rob Morrison described the changes as a betrayal of the museum’s history, role and charter. Protests were staged outside parliament house on North Terrace.

Premier Peter Malinauskas intervened in the matter in April and announced a review to "ensure the museum continues to deliver quality outcomes for all South Australians". The government later accepted all six recommendations of the review panel. Most notably, this meant that, effective immediately, the proposed restructure of the museum’s research and collections division was withdrawn. Its structure, roles and responsibilities remained unchanged.

The review was chaired by state government premier and cabinet department chief executive Damien Walker, with expert members South Australia chief scientist professor Craig Simmons and Queensland Museum chief executive Dr Jim Thompson. Their six recommendations were:
      * $4.1 million to be injected over two years to support the museum develop its future strategy, support marketing and promoting an international exhibition, and to help museum operations;
      * a strategic plan for the museum will be developed via thoroughly and collaboratively consulting staff, donors, supporters and other stakeholders;
      * no functional or structural changes will be proposed to the museum’s research and collection priorities and business models, before the museum’s strategic plan being finalised;
      * working closely with South Australia’s universities to agree on sustainable research and funding models for the museum;
      * developing existing and new opportunities with donors, philanthropists, and major corporations to enhance funding sources;
      * an asset management and infrastructure study for the museum to consider ways for renewal and enhancing the galleries and exhibition spaces.

Kim Cheater decided to resign as museum board chair to allow a fresh perspective on the panel’s recommendations. Professor Robert Saint was appointed presiding member of the board. Professor Saint, a distinguished geneticist and molecular biologist, had recently retired as vice president and deputy vice chancellor of research at Flinders University. His prominent academic and research roles included dean of science at Melbourne University and pro vice chancellor (research strategy) at the Adelaide University. In 2017, he was appointed a member of the Order of Australia for his contributions to tertiary education.