It is now one week since restrictions on public gatherings were first announced in response to the coronavirus outbreak, effectively shutting down Australia’s entire live performance industry ranging across theatre, live music and festivals.
We await a plan of action from the Prime Minister or Treasurer or their colleagues to save the jobs of thousands of performers, artists, creatives, technical and road crew or sustain hundreds of performing arts and commercial companies, including music promoters, producers, venues and all the service providers that keep the industry alive.
More than 26 million tickets were sold to a live performance event in 2018 – more than the total combined attendance of all of Australia’s major sporting codes, including the AFL, NRL, cricket and basketball.
LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said: “We are extremely concerned that governments are yet to show clear leadership at this critical time for our cultural sector.
“Time is simply running out. Many companies are deciding whether they will need to wind up their businesses in coming weeks.
“Jobs have been already been shed as shows are closed, festivals cancelled, and live theatre and music venues close their doors.
“LPA provided a comprehensive emergency industry support plan to all governments with practical ideas that could be implemented to save jobs and protect companies.
“These proposals must be incorporated into any stimulus package that is being prepared by the Federal Government.
“Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, must address the impact the coronavirus shutdown is having on our industry. However, so far, we’ve heard very little from them at all about a sector which is crucial to our economic and social well-being,” Ms Richardson said.
Ms Richardson said it was disappointing that yesterday’s meeting of Commonwealth, state and territory cultural ministers failed to produce a plan of action to save live performance and instead only committed to another meeting.
