CORONAVIRUS — EVENTS INDUSTRY — SUPPORT
183. Mr S.A. MILLMAN to the Minister for Culture and the
Arts:
I refer to the McGowan Labor
government's commitment to supporting Western Australia's live
performance and events industry as it deals with the challenges of the COVID-19
pandemic.
(1) Can the minister
update the house on the Getting the Show Back on the Road program, including
how it is providing more certainty for the industry during this difficult time?
(2) Can the minister update the house on the other
support the government has provided this important industry?
Mr D.A.
TEMPLEMAN replied:
(1)–(2) Yes,
I can, and I thank the member for Mount Lawley for his question. He is a fine
cultural figure. I thank him for asking a question about the important
additional programs and support that we are providing to the entertainment industry, the culture and arts
theatre industry, and subsidiaries and those who benefit from activity.
The member would be aware of Getting the Show Back on the Road, a McGowan
government initiative that was initially introduced to respond to the immediate
COVID impacts that we saw in 2020 and into
2021. As we continue to liaise and have ongoing conversations with the sector,
the need to continue to nuance and add to that program was seen to be
necessary. In response, we have tailored the Getting the Show Back on the Road
program to ensure that it captures more of those that require assistance.
The latest iteration of Getting the
Show Back on the Road has seen support given to shows that might otherwise have
been cancelled due to level 2 restrictions so that those shows can be
rescheduled. Of course, the live entertainment industry lobbied for this
assistance very strongly. We now see that shows by acts like Midnight Oil,
Crowded House, the Hoodoo Gurus, Hunters and Collectors, James Reyne, Jimmy
Barnes, Mondo Rock—love a bit of Mondo Rock—Ian Moss, Missy
Higgins, Birds of Tokyo and the Waifs that
were originally scheduled and would have otherwise be cancelled will now be
supported. In fact, all those shows
have now rescheduled. I urge members to book their tickets for those
magnificent events.
A member: What about Tom Jones?
Mr D.A. TEMPLEMAN: Tom Jones—not
unusual!
In
terms of nightclub assistance—I hope the member for Mount Lawley is
listening—this is very important, because as we know nightclubs
have suffered from the impacts. Following the mandated closures in December
2021, the government supported 27 nightclubs with a one-off $20 000 grant. On
24 February this year, Premier McGowan announced
a further $1.8 million to support nightclubs that were impacted by the phase 2
capacity restrictions. The events industry supply and support program is
very important because this $3 million initiative supports industry contractors
and suppliers. As we know, when a big concert or festival is held, a range of
suppliers are needed to provide the food and beverage, the lighting and the
staging. We wanted to make sure that in the event of impacts, those suppliers
are supported. They are being supported through the event suppliers support
program. Part of this initiative is the
performing arts venues, theatres and cinemas assistance program. Our theatres
and cinemas, including independent
cinemas like the Astor Theatre in the member for Mount Lawley's
electorate, will be supported through the $1.3 million performing arts
venues, theatres and cinemas assistance program. This demonstrates the ongoing
nuancing of this government in responding to demands and challenges.
I remind everyone that we have been
particularly fortunate in Western Australia. In other parts of the world and,
indeed, in other states and territories, when COVID was at its height, their
industry was basically closed down. The arts industry in Victoria closed down
for 150-plus days. Thankfully, because of good stewardship and keeping the
state safe, we have still been able to ensure that a whole range of activities
could continue. Those that have been
impacted by level 2 restrictions have been additionally supported through these
initiatives. I thank the member for the question, for his support of the
culture and arts industry and for his support of great acts in this country.