Live Performance Australia (LPA), the arts and entertainment industry peak body, today welcomed the performing arts package announced by the New South Wales government.
LPA Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson said, "The Omicron variant has significantly derailed the industry's reactivation business activities and there is still an unknown around when we can put the pandemic behind us. The arts and entertainment industry are a critical part of rebooting the economy which has once again been acknowledged by the New South Wales government.
"This package will enable companies to keep shows on stage and people in work and provide much-needed business confidence to continue investing. The arts and entertainment industry is working hard to rebuild after two years of continued disruption caused by Covid-19. The additional $80 million for performing arts companies will support them through this very challenging time and the $5 million provided to Support Act will be gratefully received by many of our struggling artists, performers and crews, who have again been dealt a major blow just when the industry was getting back on its feet.
"We congratulate the New South Wales government on taking the lead, after consultation with industry, on measures to support the arts and entertainment industry through a very tough transition phase. We call on other state and territory governments to step up and provide similar support to rebuild industry and consumer confidence which has been shattered.
"We continue to call on the Commonwealth government to take action with targeted initiatives, the most urgent being a national insurance scheme and a skills and training package.
"Live entertainment events drive visitation across regions and cities, pumping billions of dollars of spending into the economy. Our industry contributed $36.5 billion to Australia's economy in 2019 and is a key driver of many other sectors, notably hospitality, travel and cultural tourism.
"The pandemic is not over and we still need to get through winter which may bring new challenges. The impacts of Omicron are being felt across the country. Now more than ever government support is needed to ensure the live entertainment industry can continue to play its part in the nation's economic, social and cultural recovery", Ms Richardson said.
