Labor is calling for the government to deliver its long delayed Creative Industries Strategy, as arts workers continue to struggle amid pandemic restrictions.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics Weekly Payroll and Wages report recently found Arts was the second hardest hit sector with a 27% drop in jobs.
The Creative Industries Discussion Paper was released in October 2019 with industry consultation sessions concluding in February. The Creative Industries Sector Strategy was supposed to be launched in early 2020.
Public gathering and travel restrictions have all but wiped out the arts sector in recent months, with limited performances and exhibitions as well as reduced interstate and international audiences.
The COVID-19 pandemic had crippled the sector and now more than ever it needed support from the State Government.
South Australia’s creative industries, which are facing record levels of unemployment, are still waiting for the Marshall Government to release its long overdue strategic plan.
However, this has been postponed without explanation, despite Minister David Pisoni repeatedly claiming that creative industries play a significant role in growing South Australia’s economy.
Prior to the pandemic, there were about 19,500 people employed in the arts and entertainment sector, with the industry providing a ripple effect to jobs in hospitality, accommodation and transport.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Arts Jayne Stinson
David Pisoni is fiddling while Rome burns. The creative sector is among the hardest hit by COVID, yet the government is doing very little.
The arts and creative sector could really use a well thought-out plan right now. But instead there is an inexplicable delay to this long overdue industry strategy.
Minister David Pisoni kicked me out of a publicly advertised information session on the Creative Industries Strategy in January – now we know why!
This is a Minister who has no plan and is scared of scrutiny.
The Marshall Liberal Government must immediately release the strategy – and accompany it with financial support for the struggling creative sector.