Covid 19 and the Arts sector: Statement to the House

Don't cut Queensland Arts Funding

By Terri Butler MP

13 May 2020

When people think of the arts sector they often think of celebrities. But, of course, 92,000 Queenslanders are directly or indirectly employed in the creative workforce. Data released last week showed that the arts and recreation services have experienced some of the worst job losses during COVID-19. Live Performance Australia estimates the COVID-19 impacts on Queensland's live performance industry over a three-month-ban period would result in the loss of $79 million in ticket sales.

Griffith is home to many of Queensland's major arts venues, but the federal government has been lacklustre in supporting them. For every dollar the Queensland government is investing in our major performing arts organisations this year, the federal LNP government chips in just 81c, whereas in New South Wales the federal LNP government invests $3.93 for every dollar provided by the New South Wales government.

Arts organisations in Queensland are missing out, including Home of the Arts on the Gold Coast, the Cairns Performing Arts Centre, Logan Entertainment Centre and the Indigenous Knowledge Centres of Queensland. Queensland Theatre has been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis, but what's devastating is that they're excluded from accessing vital government support like the cashflow boost or JobKeeper.

Queenslanders have unnecessarily lost their jobs while their New South Wales counterparts are receiving help from the government. Queenslanders need our fair share of funding now.