Prime Minister Scott Morrison has confirmed he has met with groups in the entertainment industry following reports that unemployment rates in Australia have increased from 6.4% in April to 7.1% in May.
Speaking at a press conference today, Morrison discussed news that the country's borders will likely remain closed for the rest of 2020, effectively ending any hope of overseas acts touring Australia until 2021.
"I've just met from groups in the entertainment industry and they were doing things very tough and they will endure challenges longer than most," Morrison said.
Morrison noted that the discussions with those groups included "the ability to move in and out of Australia... about tours and promotions and artists".
It is understood a cross section of industry executives were present at the meeting, including the newly-formed Live Entertainment Industry Forum (LEIF) executive committee and ARIA CEO Dan Rosen.
"These are very practical issues that go to the reopening of our economy and I can tell you we are fully immersed in all of these decisions," he said
"That's why the Government is working night and day. That's why I'm not going to be distracted by the many other things that are there, as important as they may be.
"My job is get Australians back into jobs. That's my pledge, I've done it before and we'll do it again."
