Music Organisation Demand Federal Govt Hand Back Cut Funds
21 April 2016 | 1:58 pm
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Staff Writer
To help deliver jobs and growths in the live performance industry.
Melbourne-based music organisation Live Performance Australia (LPA) have called on the federal government to hand back funds in the upcoming federal budget to help deliver jobs and growth to the live performance industry.
"We are very concerned that due to the unprecedented funding cuts to the Australia Council last year and impending funding announcements next month, we expect to see 40 percent of our small to medium companies lose funding and face going under," LPA Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson said in a statement.
"That’s 18 to 20 companies that won’t be creating new productions, hundreds of people out of work and lost revenue.
"These cuts will have huge flow on effects impacting all parts of our industry including the major companies and commercial sector. We are particularly concerned about losing our creative and technical talent who may be forced to go offshore for work and career development opportunities."
Richardson went on to express concern for new Australian works, as well as international touring.
"If the Government is serious about an innovation agenda designed to deliver growth and jobs we expect to see the Budget return the $72.8 million over 4 years it took from the Australia Council last year so that our major funding body can deliver its Strategic Plan, including investing in the small to medium sector.
"We would also expect to see any Catalyst money not committed rolled over to ensure that new projects can be supported. The Government allocated $12m per annum for four years but to date has only announced $1.6m in projects. The Government must commit to delivering the rest of the Catalyst funding. We do not want to see Government pocket more than $10m that is allocated to our industry.
"The live performance industry employs 34,000 people and generates gross output of $2.5 billion. It supports more than 500 performing arts companies around Australia, and attracts more than 18 million Australians to shows in capital cities, regional centres and country towns."
Richardson said the statistics show that more Australians in a year will see a live show over an NRL, AFL, A-League, Super Rugby, test cricket or Big Bash game.
"It’s time for the Government to step up and deliver."
The federal budget is set to take place on 3 May.
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