Talent from all areas of the Australian Entertainment and Arts industry have begun sharing a petition on their social media, to gain attention from the Australian Government.
Actors like Harriet Dyer, Ryan Corr and Emma Booth have all shared a post to their Instagram accounts, asking for fans to help in letting the government know that “artists matter too” and “need financial help” during the coronavirus pandemic.
“Hi, friends, as you may have heard, basically all Arts workers in Australia have lost their/our jobs due to COVID-19. Most of these thousands of people have been overlooked in the current criteria required for the Job Seeker subsidy for people who have lost their jobs due to COVID-19.”
Then directing people to a link for the Media Entertainment Arts Alliance (MEAA), they are urging people to take “30 seconds” to complete the survey in an effort to change it before Wednesday’s legislation goes through for the Job Keeper subsidy.
Booth, who played Molly McGee in Stan original series The Gloaming, took to Instagram to share why artists are so important to our culture.
“We need artists! Artists are helping you get through isolation EVERY SINGLE DAY not to mention life in general, the good, the bad and the magical! Imagine life without film, tv, music, books, poetry and games etc ???? Personally I could not… The artist is what brings soul to the planet (and in saying that I believe we all are artists ?).
“So please help let the Australian government know that artists matter too and need financial help during this time. Don’t allow artists to be left behind when it comes to these new subsidies created by the government… My friends need your help, the industry as a whole needs your help.”
According to the MEAA, there are two groups who form the backbone of the arts, events and entertainment industries, and these people “will miss out on the Federal Government’s JobKeeper income subsidy scheme unless urgent changes are made.”
“As the scheme is currently set up, both freelance employees (excluding sole traders with an ABN) and casuals with less than 12 months of continuous employment, are not eligible for JobKeeper. Some people who are work in the Australia arts and entertainment industries on various types of visas are also ineligible.
“With Parliament set to vote on the income subsidy scheme this Wednesday, we have just days to get this rectified by the government, or thousands of workers in the arts, events and entertainment sectors will fall through the cracks and be forced onto the social security system.”
A video on the website also features Australians from every facet of the arts and entertainment industry including actors, musicians, comedians, costumers, lighting technicians, directors and even a tour guide of the Sydney Opera House.
WATCH NEXT: MEAA’s video plea for an income subsidy.
To sign the petition, visit the MEAA site and assist those in the gig economy.
The current health crisis is evolving rapidly. If you suspect you or a family member has coronavirus you should call (not visit) your GP or ring the national Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080.
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