Communications Minister Paul Fletcher to host roundtable as creative industry appeals for help recovering from COVID-19
The Australian Government has responded to cries from cultural and creative bodies for assistance in managing the growing impact of coronavirus (COVID-19) on the industry, announcing a roundtable chaired by Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, Paul Fletcher.
Fletcher will host the event on Tuesday by teleconference with peak cultural and creative industry bodies to attend and discuss the impacts of the virus as well as support arrangements from the government.
Minister Fletcher will conduct a roundtable by teleconference
Fletcher said it’s important the Government work with the sector on finding a solution to the crisis currently faced by the cultural and creative industries.
“Live performance events were attended by more than 26m Australians in 2018, generating more than $2bn in ticket revenues, part of the $112bn arts contribution to the economy each year. More than 80% of Australians attend arts events each year; 40% of international tourists attend arts events; and more than 600,000 Australians are employed in the sector,” said Fletcher.
“Given the significance of the cultural and creative sector – both economically and culturally – it is important we work together on a constructive approach to preparing for potential impacts and fully understanding the support available.”
The response comes after a call from the Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance (MEAA) to support the live performance and entertainment sectors in the face of cancelled events and banned public gatherings.
The MEAA has called for further support from the government for live performers and entertainers
“While the industry has maintained a business-as-usual approach until now, it is inevitable that venue closures and cancellations of shows and events will be necessary as part of the public health response,” said MEAA chief executive Paul Murphy.
“This will have a serious economic impact on the live performance and entertainment sector and the tens of thousands of people it employs, from front of house workers, to production crew, to performers themselves.
“Because the sector has such high levels of casual and contract employment, MEAA supports the call of Live Performance Australia for specific support for the arts and entertainment industries, and for special consideration to be given to extending a temporary 50% wage subsidy for employers of apprentices to help keep people employed in sector.
“The government must also urgently review its decision to rule out providing two weeks of paid special leave for those working without sick leave provisions.
“Due to the intermittent nature of their employment, many workers in the arts and entertainment industries are already on the economic margins and could be pushed into poverty without the ability to take paid leave.
“We welcome production companies and other employers who have offered to support their casual and contract staff with paid leave, and urge the government to step in to ensure that no workers in the industry suffer financial hardship.”
The government has said part of its $17.6bn stimulus package will go to small and medium businesses, allowing them to continue paying employees, up to a maximum of $25,000. This includes eligible arts businesses, said the government.
Already a number of cultural and entertainment events have been cancelled, impacted by the capacity ruling brought into place by Prime Minister Scott Morrison which bans over 500 people gathering for an event.
In its calls for help, the MEAA said it supports the measures put in place by the government and said the health of the Australian public should be first and foremost the concern.
However, a separate plan to the stimulus package is needed for the live performance industry, said the union.
So far, key cultural and live events such as Vivid Sydney, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and various live shows have been cancelled in a bid to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
