Aus live sector missing from Budget, companies face chopping block

Live Performance Australia (LPA) Chief Executive, Evelyn Richardson has warned the worst is yet to come following last night’s Federal Budget announcement.

Australia’s live performance sector was noticeably missing from Treasurer Scott Morrison’s first Federal Budget overnight, despite its focus on jobs and growth.

“It fails to deliver any major new policy initiatives or programs,” said Richardson. 

Last year the Government cut $72.8 million in Australia Council funding over the next four years. LPA President, Andrew Kay said the aftershock of which will be realised in the next fortnight.

“This is not a cut to the arts,” said Kay. “This is a full scale cull. We are very concerned that due to unprecedented funding cuts to the Australia Council last year, the legacy of the 2015 Budget will become very real next week when the Australia Council makes its funding announcements.”

Kay believes we’ll see 40% of small to medium companies lose funding and face going under.

“That’s 18 to 20 companies that won’t be creating new productions, hundreds of creative and talented Australians out of work and lost revenue,” said Kay.  “These cuts will have huge flow on effects impacting all parts of our industry including the major performing arts companies, venues, festivals and the 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”. 

Last week the Government did give West Australia’s peak music association WAM $45,925 in Catalyst funding for use on international exchange programs. However according to Richardson, it doesn’t help the more than 34,000 people employed in Australia’s live performance industry; nor does it help the initiative which has helped our most prized exports, Sounds Australia.

“This does not address in any way the imminent threat of significant job losses and the demise of core companies that are critical to our industry,” she said. “We were also disappointed to note that funding will not be continued for Sounds Australia which supports our local music industry
overseas.

“We look forward to the Opposition Leader setting out his vision for supporting growth and jobs in our industry in his Budget reply speech,” Richardson said. “LPA is calling on all political parties to step up and support new investment in companies and jobs for our $2.5 billion industry.”