‘The Result Would Be Catastrophic': Music Industry Calls For JobKeeper Extension

Australia’s live music and entertainment industry has rallied together, with 3,500 artists and workers today urging the Government to extend JobKeeper or “establish an industry rescue program”.

The open letter, which has been signed by Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins, Archie Roach, The Preatures, Bernard Fanning, Midnight Oil, Courtney Barnett, Laneway Festival, Bluesfest, Secret Sounds and more artists, workers, venues and businesses, once again highlights the devastating effects COVID-19 has had on “an industry in crisis”.

“Extending JobKeeper, or providing an industry specific wage subsidy package, will keep the show on the road,” the open letter reads.

“This doesn’t just make cultural sense, it makes economic sense. The arts and entertainment sector contributes around $15 billion per year in GDP, employing close to 200,000 highly-skilled Australians. 

“Australia Institute research has found that for every million dollars in turnover, arts and entertainment produce 9 jobs while the construction industry only produces around 1 job.”

READ MORE: New Survey Reveals Devastating Consequences Music Industry Faces Post-JobKeeper

The open letter arrives as APRA AMCOS reveals new figures around the industry’s operation amid the pandemic, reporting that “live music alone is operating at under 4 per cent of the level compared to this time last year, showing the devastation that has hit Australia’s live music industry and on the thousands of people who work to make live music happen”.

It’s also noted in the open letter that since the pandemic began, “there has not been a single national tour undertaken by an Australian artist and there has not been a single festival run at full capacity. The music and live entertainment industry remains in lockdown.”

It continues: “Every live music venue and festival in a city, town centre or regional area is part of an intricate network that supports our industry. Sitting behind these venues and events is an army of musicians, managers, agents, promoters, crew, technicians, music teachers and many other industry professionals.

“We can’t afford to lose the skills and businesses of our industry. The result for Australian music and live entertainment would be catastrophic.”

Read the full open letter here.