This letter was emailed in PDF Form to The Hon Paul Fletcher MP Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts at 1.19pm on 11/08/21. [email protected]

The letter calls for reform in the way that the Arts and Creative Industries are represented in the Federal Parliament of Australia, while also highlighting the need for ‘industry specific’ Federally funded financial assistance for the Arts and Creative Sectors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The key points highlighted in the letter include.

The Financial and Cultural Value of the Arts and Creative Industries in Australia

The Financial Impact of COVID-19 on the Live Events and Entertainment Industry in Australia

The need for Industry Specific Government Support

The Impact of lockdowns. In our industry, a lockdown in one city doesn’t only affect workers in that city, it can affect thousands around the country, both during the lockdown and long after the lockdown has lifted. We can’t just simply go back to work.

Ineligibility for the Federal Government’s Disaster Relief Payments

Rarely does any government grant money filter down to a large majority of the artists that work within the sector.

Since the pandemic began, the Live Events, Entertainment and Arts have been for the most part overlooked. The mental health of our industry workers is at an all-time low given our ‘forgotten industry’ status.

The apparent government prioritization of sporting events in lieu of meaningful support of the Arts and Creative Industries.

https://youtu.be/hlYorBoUmoc

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