Government to unveil $250m loans and grants package to restart paused arts industry
The Morrison government will today reveal a $250m support package for an arts industry struggling to cope with the havoc COVID-19 has wreaked upon the sector.
The package is inclusive of $90m in grants, that will range from $75,000 to $2m, and concessional loans to fund new productions. It’s an attempt to stimulate an industry that has been badly damaged by the social distancing practices and cancellations resulting from the pandemic.
Screen Australia will be responsible for a $50m fund to finance local productions that have been forced to shut down. The likes of The Block, The Bachelor, Holey Moley, and Survivor have all been paused. Ten’s Neighbours resumed filming at the end of April after a four-week break, Big Brother had to temporarily pause production after a crew member was exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19, and The Amazing Race is on the hunt for talent after confirming this month that a domestic version of the show is still on the cards.
The money will flow to the corporate producers and the small and independent producers – you know … the creative ones – will miss out.
Indeed. This package is a joke.
FYI the Netflix Support Fund of $1M AUD was exhausted within 35hours of it being made available on Monday 15th June 9:00am to Screen Technicians, we are yet to see any moneys hit any bank accounts at this stage. (Support Act have advised it may take up to 30 Days to process). We are chasing them to get more information as to how this was managed allocated and who actually received the funds. The Screen Sector has be savaged by the COVID-19 situation even this new package that the Federal Government offers little in the way of direct support to the thousands of Technicians within Screen who have slipped through the gaps of JK, JS and now this assistance also.