The federal government's primary arts funding body has defended its support to Australian books and authors, after figures showing Australia Council literature grants reached a five-year low last financial year.
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Funding provided to symphony orchestras, operas, visual arts, theatre and dance dwarfed literature grants in 2015-16, with the sector receiving $4.6 million of a total $173.8 million.
Orchestras received $56.1 million, or 32.3 per cent, with opera funding at $23.7 million, or 13.7 per cent, in the same period.
Analysis of council figures showed literary funding in three areas managed and delivered for the federal government peaked in 2013-14 at $9 million, when overall grants totalled $199.2 million.
In 2014-15, literature received 3 per cent, or $6.3 million, from a total of $191.5 million.
Australian Society of Authors chief executive Juliet Rogers said books and authors did not receive support commensurate with their cultural and commercial contribution.
"I was surprised by the figure. I knew it was low but I hadn't realised it was quite that low," she said.
"We're largely unsubsidised as a successful industry with millions in sales and when compared with these big dramatic groups and dance companies, it's very hard for individual authors to compete.
"Anything that impacts on the potential remuneration for people to write is a disadvantage for them. It's important for writers who have no other sources of income that they have access to funding," Ms Rogers said.
In 2015, then arts minister George Brandis said the Australia Council was perceived as a "closed shop" for established artists, with an "iron wall that you're either inside or outside".
He controversially diverted nearly $105 million to a new program controlled by bureaucrats, sparking outcry from advocates who protested cuts to funding and possible political interference.
Current Arts Minister Mitch Fifield returned some of the money and speculation about the future of the Catalyst fund continues.
One person involved in arts funding said there was a longstanding view that big metropolitan arts companies had "sucked up all the money" for at least 15 years, leaving little for books and authors.
Dubbed "the majors", she said the groups included large music and performance companies with strong boards and political clout.
"They leave next to nothing for smaller sectors and it's very sad," the public service source said.
Responding to the criticism, Australia Council CEO Tony Grybowski said about two-thirds of the council's $192.5 million in revenue was directed by government.
The remaining third supports individual artists and small-to-medium organisations, an area hit hard by cuts in the federal budget.
"The overall percentage for literature reflects the fact that more than 60 per cent of the council's budget goes to government frameworks which support performing and visual arts," Mr Grybowski said.
"When you look at the $50.6 million delivered in 2015-16 through the Australia Council grants program, literature represents 9.1 per cent of this total. The first four project rounds delivered under the new grants model saw literature awarded 15 per cent of the funding, the third highest among the art forms.
"This reflects our commitment to supporting writers through individual project and development grants, within the budget available."
Mr Grybowski said he believed literature remained "at the core of Australian culture".
"Our writers are recognised, translated and read all over the world. We are also fortunate to have a highly respected publishing sector who support the publication of Australian work," he said.
