'They Won’t Survive’: Ministers To Push Music Venue Funding As JobKeeper End Looms

8 March 2021 | 2:21 pm | Staff Writer

"Sydney could be changed as a result.”

NSW venues will be hit hard when JobKeeper ends, but upcoming Government discussions might result in a much-needed lifeline.

It’s been confirmed that Minister Victor Dominello will speak with the Treasurer about specific funding for NSW music venues that will be hit hard when JobKeeper ends at the end of the month.

The commitment was made after the matter was raised at Budget Estimates today, with the Opposition questioned about why, unlike Victoria, there had been no specific NSW music venue funding.

“We know venues will close in the next week or weeks,” Shadow Minister for Music John Graham said.

“They have survived COVID, they have survived the lockouts, they won’t survive this.

“As JobKeeper disappears this is the moment when some much-loved venues are deciding their future. Sydney could be changed as a result.”

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Last month, NSW Labor called on the Berejiklian Government again to provide funding for live music venues around the state at risk of closing.

It’s expected that 85% of venues could close when JobKeeper comes to an end.