MORRISON ABANDONS ARTS SECTOR ONCE AGAIN

Scott Morrison has abandoned the arts sector once again, this time by refusing to provide any leadership on audience vaccinations.

Australia’s arts and entertainment sector has been crippled by this year’s lockdowns, which are a direct consequence of Mr Morrison’s abject failures on the vaccine rollout and purpose-built quarantine.

The Government has failed to provide adequate financial support to the sector throughout this crisis, leaving many businesses on the brink of collapse and many thousands of workers with little or no income. It has also failed to set up a desperately needed insurance system for live entertainment.

Now the industry is simply asking for a national blueprint on how to safely reopen, including nationally consistent audience vaccination requirements – but the Government has told them to fend for themselves.

Asked on the ABC whether the Government would listen to the industry’s calls, Arts Minister Paul Fletcher washed his hands of the issue and said these would be ‘decisions for venue owners’.

The Creative Economy Taskforce was set up by Mr Fletcher to help the industry recover from the pandemic.

Now the taskforce is asking for just a little national leadership from this Government but Mr Morrison and Mr Fletcher clearly have no intention of providing any.

The arts industry has stepped up to help all Australians by leading and funding the powerful ‘Vax the Nation’ campaign. It’s the latest in a long of line of campaigns the industry has run to help us through this crisis.

But apparently it’s too much to ask for this Government to step up and offer a helping hand in return.

Vaccinations are the pathway back to live shows and events and getting these workers back into their jobs.

If the Government cared about them at all it would provide leadership on this – not just run and hide.

TUESDAY, 14 SEPTEMBER 2021