The Liberals need to explain why arts and entertainment workers are excluded from JobKeeper eligibility if there’s been a $60 billion underspend in the program.
The federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has revealed the budgeted $130 billion JobKeeper scheme will now cost $70 billion due to a counting error.
More than a thousand stood-down workers at government enterprises including the Festival Centre, Entertainment Centre, Convention Centre and Coopers Stadium have been fighting for access to the program. Staff at the State Theatre of SA are also ineligible for JobKeeper.
The federal government has been widely criticised for its lack of any rescue package for the arts and entertainment sector, and slashing Australia Council grants to SA during the crisis.
A recent ABS Weekly Payroll Jobs and Wages in Australia report found Arts is the second hardest hit sector for job losses (-27%), after Accommodation and Food (-33%). The Grattan Institute estimates that three-quarters of arts and recreation workers will lose their jobs due to COVID19. About 16 000 South Australians are employed in the Arts sector.
Quotes attributable to Shadow Minister for Arts Jayne Stinson
It’s of course really embarrassing that the federal Liberal government has failed to count properly and its figures are out by a whopping $60 billion.
However that funding could be put to good use to support workers who’ve been deliberately excluded from accessing JobKeeper.
The Liberals have utterly failed to support the entertainment sector – now is their chance to make amends.
The Arts Minister Steven Marshall – who is also the Premier – needs to advocate to his friends in Canberra for the South Australian arts workers he’s meant to fight for.