Arts industry to receive $250 million coronavirus rescue package from Federal Government - ABC News

Australia's arts sector will get access to $250 million worth of grants and loans under a COVID-19 recovery package unveiled by the Federal Government.

Key points:

• Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the rescue package would help the arts industry re-build over the next year
• Guidelines about how the loan and grants will be distributed will be released in the coming weeks
• Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young say more still needs to be done

Creative industries had been calling for more support after coronavirus shut down venues and productions and led to widespread job losses, with many workers ineligible for the JobKeeper wage subsidy.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the grants and loans would help the entertainment, arts and screen sectors to re-build over the next 12 months.

"This package is as much about supporting the tradies who build stage sets or computer specialists who create the latest special effects, as it is about supporting actors and performers in major productions," he said.

"Many in the sector will find a new way to operate while the current social distancing measures remain in place and while that won't be easy, I know there's a strong desire among all Australians to see the return of gigs, performances and events."

The package includes:

• $75 million for a competitive grants program to provide capital for new festivals, concerts, tours and events as social distancing restrictions ease. Grants will range from $75,000 to $2 million
• $90 million in concessional loans to help fund new productions. Loans will be delivered through commercial banks with a Commonwealth guarantee
• $50 million to help film and television producers who have been unable to access insurance due to COVID-19 to secure finance and restart production
• $35 million in direct financial assistance for Commonwealth-funded organisations which are struggling to stay viable, including theatre, dance, music and circus

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Package criticised as inadequate for a sector hit hard

A ministerial taskforce will be set up to implement the package, with guidelines for the grants and loans to be released "in coming weeks".

Arts Minister Paul Fletcher said the Prime Minister would also put a proposal to the states and territories on when businesses still being hampered by coronavirus restrictions could expect to re-open.

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"It is very important of course that we work through the pathway for entertainment and creative sector activity to be able to recommence," he said.

"And one of the things we're committing to is the Prime Minister will take to National Cabinet a proposal that a pathway be developed for the arts and entertainment sector so we that can provide as much clarity on that as possible."

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young criticised the announcement, arguing it paled in comparison to the $688 million package aimed at boosting the housing construction sector.

"Unfortunately it really misses the mark," she said.

"The amount is way too small to really make the difference we need and it's coming so late after the sector has been struggling.

"It was one of the first industries hit as we went into the COVID-19 lockdown and it's going to be the last sector to come out. It's just simply not good enough."

The Government said the sector was already receiving $100 million per month from the JobKeeper program and cash flow support.

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https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMib2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvbmV3cy8yMDIwLTA2LTI1L2FydHMtaW5kdXN0cnktdG8tcmVjZWl2ZS0yNTAtbWlsbGlvbi1jb3JvbmF2aXJ1cy1yZXNjdWUtcGFja2FnZS8xMjM5MDI4MtIBJ2h0dHBzOi8vYW1wLmFiYy5uZXQuYXUvYXJ0aWNsZS8xMjM5MDI4Mg?oc=5

2020-06-24 18:15:57Z
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