The Greens are vying for an economic stimulus package that would inject much-needed funds back into Australia’s arts industry following the devastating effects of the COVID pandemic.
The proposed plan would provide relief for hundreds of thousands of artists and creatives and workers across hospitality and tourism who have lost their jobs due to coronavirus-related lockdowns.
Alongside funding for local screen and the arts, a major aspect of the package involves injecting $1billion into Australia’s festival, music and live performance sector.
The proposal notes that both metropolitan and regional events “are job rich and the economic kickback is instant in the communities they occur”, boosting tourism, hospitality, retail and construction.
“This anti-arts government has failed to recognise helping the industry to survive helps us all," Greens Spokesperson for the Arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said.
“The arts and entertainment industry will be absolutely vital to our economic recovery. Not only are other industries like tourism, hospitality and accommodation all going to benefit from its revival, but the sector is primed for stimulus.
“The industry can go in early and hard and put money into the pockets of workers who are in great need of an income and are going to spend what they earn. Without action, we stand to lose a generation of artists.
“The Green’s Create Australia plan is jobs rich and a funding commitment of $2.3 billion makes up less than 1% of what the Government has already spent on the COVID-19 response ($320 billion).
“There can be no denying our arts and entertainment industry has been there for us during times of crisis and even during COVID-19 when many artists don’t even have an income, they’ve still stepped up to keep creating and connecting with community.
“If we are going to restore our social fabric we need to bring people back together through live performance, when it’s safe to do so, and that is going to take funding support. But it will be worth it as the return on investment from this sector will be enormous and in more ways than one.”
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