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There's a definite sense of déjà vu about today's briefing session with new culture minister Fiona Hyslop. Same government officials, same journalists, same questions.

The only thing that's changed is the location - Edinburgh's Dance
Base - and of course, the minister.

It is just nine months since her predecessor, Mike Russell, held his first briefing as culture minister for what many arts organisations hoped would be a long and supportive relationship in increasingly tough times.

But Mr Russell's appointment to Ms Hyslop's old post of education minister just a fortnight ago - and Ms Hyslop's subsequent appointment into his old post - has left the sector face-to-face with its third culture minister this year.

Her first task? Dealing with the thorny issue of whether she perceived her appointment - as described by the press and other politicians - as a demotion and according to Labour leader Iain Gray a "non job".

"I thought the comments completely inappropriate since they belie the sense of importance of this area in driving Scotland forward," she said.

"Scottish culture is very strong and vibrant and very important and I'm excited to be involved. Those comments reflect more on the people who made them, than my views."

Ms Hyslop said she would be picking up where Mr Russell left off.

There would continue to be quarterly meetings with the minister and cultural organisations - the next one is in Dumfries in January.

She'll also take on the role of pushing through Creative Scotland, a challenging task given the lengthy timescale of the merger of Scottish Screen and the Scottish Arts Council and the forthcoming debate on the wider public services reform bill in just a few weeks time.

Ms Hyslop said she felt her experience of previous government bills put her in a strong position to avoid any hitches with the bill and that she saw her role as midwife in at last delivering Creative Scotland.

It was hard not to think of her predecessor making the same assumption about his role - ironically enough, just nine months before.

She would, she insisted, continue to attend cabinet where she'd be "pushing culture into the heart of government" and into other portfolios like health and home affairs.

Hang on a minute? Wasn't that the very same plan laid out to arts organisations by Labour first minister Jack McConnell on St Andrew's Day 2003? Now that is déjà vu.