Sarah Hanson-Young (SA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

  (i) it has been more than three months since COVID-19 physical distancing rules effectively shut down the arts and entertainment industry overnight,

  (ii) hundreds of thousands of workers in the arts and entertainment industry have been impacted, and

  (iii) the Morrison Government has not announced any specific industry assistance for arts and entertainment;

(b) calls on the Morrison Government to detail and deliver a recovery package for the arts and entertainment industry; and

(c) transmits this resolution to the House of Representatives for concurrence

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to make a short statement.

Scott Ryan (President) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Leave is granted for one minute.

Jonathon Duniam (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Prime Minister and the Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts have confirmed that the government is looking at the issues impacting the arts, screen and entertainment sectors. In addition, a substantial number of organisations within the arts community are benefiting from the JobKeeper program. For example, the government understands that the Queensland Ballet, the Melbourne Theatre Company, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Opera Australia are all benefiting from the JobKeeper program. The government is also advised that the total support received for the initial JobKeeper fortnights in April by the creative and performing arts, under the cash flow boost and JobKeeper initiatives, is totalling $99.6 million.

Question agreed to.