LPA concerned over Government’s inaction in helping cultural sector survive Coronavirus crisis

March 20, 2020

With festivals cancelled, and live theatre and music venues closing their doors, Live Performance Australia (LPA) has advised that it is "extremely concerned" that governments are yet to show clear leadership for Australia’s cultural sector during the Coronavirus shutdown.

Speaking following yesterday's teleconference among Commonwealth, state and territory cultural ministers, LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson stresses that “time is simply running out. Many companies are deciding whether they will need to wind up their businesses in coming weeks.”

LPA is drawing attention to the fact that 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.

In a statement released today, Richardson advised “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.”

“Jobs have 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.”

Richardson noted it was disappointing that yesterday’s teleconference failed to produce a plan of action to save live performance and instead only committed to another meeting.

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