LIVE MUSIC ON THE BRINK BECAUSE OF MORRISON’S NEGLECT

A staggering 70 per cent of live music businesses say they will not survive another six months – and the Morrison Government’s failure to deliver support is a key reason why.
 
A survey by the Australian Live Music Business Council has found only 17 per cent of live music businesses believe they will be able to access support through the Morrison Government’s RISE grants program – if and when the money is actually delivered.
 
Just 4 per cent believe they will be able to access the Government’s Show Starter loans program.

The Government’s imminent cuts to JobKeeper will also make it harder for these businesses to get through this crisis.
 
That means hundreds of businesses employing tens of thousands of people across the country are on the verge of collapse.
 
And if 70 per cent of live music businesses go under the whole industry ecosystem will crumble.

If enough venues close tours simply won’t happen. If engineers, road crew and other technical staff leave the industry to find work elsewhere there will be no one left to put shows on.

Live music is an integral part of Australian culture. But unless the Government does more we could lose so much of it.

That would be a catastrophe not just for these businesses and workers but for every Australia who likes to see musicians on stage.

But the Government is still in denial.

It’s been three months since Scott Morrison announced his arts and entertainment support package – but not a dollar has actually been delivered to the people who need support.

He did the photo-op with the celebrities but there's been no follow-up.

How many jobs have to be lost before Morrison finally does something for these businesses and workers?

THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2020