Event Saver Old News & Months Too Late
The NSW Government has been too slow to act to save our struggling entertainment industry, with the launch of Create NSW’s ‘Event Saver’ today coming almost three months after the Government announced it, says Cate Faehrmann Greens MP and spokesperson for the Arts, Music and Night-Time Economy.
“Premier Perrottet first announced Event Saver in October last year as part of a $530 million package for NSW tourism and events. Why has this taken so long? Over the past month alone, numerous event organisers and artists have had to reluctantly cancel events with no support,” said Ms Faehrmann.
“It’s unacceptable that event organisers have not been able to access Event Saver until today, almost three months since the Government first announced what the Premier said today is a ‘critical lifeline’.
“This package also does nothing for artists and organisers that have voluntarily shut down events in the face of the Omicron wave because it only applies to events having to cancel due to public health orders.
“This summer was meant to be a lifeline for artists and venues that have struggled for two years. Instead many have voluntarily cancelled their events to protect the community from the Omicron wave such as the King St carnival which was set to take place last weekend.
“Event Saver offers nothing for those who have been forced to cancel gigs because performers or crew members are stuck in isolation or patrons have chosen to cancel out of fear of catching covid.
“The Premier might save some events, but what about the artists who’ve been forced to give up their careers after two years of having their gigs cancelled?
“At the start of this pandemic I wrote to the Arts Minister to provide income support to artists and venues but two years later our arts and music industry is still on their knees,” said Ms Faehrmann.