A Senate inquiry into cuts to arts funding has delivered a scathing assessment of the federal government and demanded the return of more than $100 million to the Australia Council for the Arts.

The majority report by Labor, Green and Independent senators on the Senate's Legal and Constitutional Affairs committee also called on the federal government to abolish the Catalyst arts fund unless more money is found to pay for the program.

Communicatios Minister Mitch Fifield acknowledged the poor connectivity in suburbs such as Theodore but said the government would not alter the rollout plan. Credit:Andrew Meares

Catalyst was announced by Arts Minister Mitch Fifield in November to address concerns about the effects of policy changes made by his predecessor George Brandis​, who established the controversial National Program for Excellence in the Arts with $105 million from the Australia Council's budget. Fifield's changes will return $32 million to the Australia Council and provide new funding guidelines for the Catalyst fund.