Vic Govt Provides Lifeline For Arts Workers & Venues Following Jobkeeper Snub

Thousands of arts industry workers have been thrown a financial lifeline after being left out of the Federal Government's JobKeeper scheme.

Premier Daniel Andrews has announced a wage subsidy for casual workers employed at Victorian public sector venues such as Rod Laver Arena, Arts Centre Melbourne and more who were affected by COVID-related closures.

The initiative will see workers eligible for a wage subsidy of up to $1,500 a fortnight before tax until at least the end of September.

"This is a huge win for thousands of workers at public sector venues throughout Victoria who were shut out of JobKeeper," Adam Portelli, Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance's Victoria & Tasmania Regional Director, said.

"Today’s announcement will be a great relief for casual workers who faced the prospect of losing their jobs and applying for unemployment benefits to tide them over during winter."

MEAA has called on other states to follow the Victorian Government, with chief executive Paul Murphy stating it was “shameful that the JobKeeper scheme has been designed in such a way that so many workers in the arts, entertainment and cultural sectors cannot access it”.

"The other states should immediately follow the Andrews Government by providing wage subsidies, so workers at venues like the Sydney Opera House, Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Adelaide Festival Centre do not fall through the cracks,” he said.

Across the weekend, Victoria announced more support for pubs, clubs and restaurants via $40 million in funding that would provide rent relief to certain licenced venues.

“Pubs and clubs are a vital part of Victorian life and it’s important that size does not mean that operators are locked out of support and protections in lease negotiations,” Minister for Coordination of Jobs, Precincts and Regions Martin Pakula said.

“We are supporting Victorian businesses so they can emerge from this crisis in the best shape possible and quickly rebuild their workforce.”

Figures released earlier this week by the Australian Bureau of Statistics revealed that jobs in the Arts and Recreation industry in Australia were down 27.0% between 14 March (around the same time that venues were forced to close) and 18 April, while wages between that same period also dropped -17.3%.