Arts to open up about coronavirus closures

COVID-triggered cancellations of performances, exhibitions and events across the country will be the subject of a federal inquiry.

Nationals MP David Gillespie. Picture: AAP

COVID-triggered cancellations of performances, exhibitions and events across the country will be the subject of a federal parliamentary inquiry into the creative industries.

Nationals MP David Gillespie, who will chair the inquiry, said it would examine how the pandemic had affected the cultural and creative industries, which in 2016-17 were worth $111.7bn to the economy.

The communications and arts committee will look at ways to increase opportunities for ­creative and cultural groups, ­including Indigenous, regional, rural and community organisations.

The government has announced a creative industries support package for the sector, comprising $250m in grants and loans.

Some arts leaders have criticised the government’s response to the pandemic, saying funding support, due by the end of the year, is too slow.

Dr Gillespie rejected that opinion, citing government support for the sector from JobKeeper and JobSeeker, as well as the industry-specific package.

“To get another $250m out into the industry in one year is quite exceptional,” he said. “There are many layers of ­support.”

The inquiry will look at the role of innovation and digital technology in the creative industries, such as game development.

“The innovation space is alive and well in the creative industries. Producing games is a huge industry and Australians are pretty good at it,” he said.

He added the inquiry would seek co-ordination of arts support between different levels of government because the commonwealth “can’t run everything”. “The best support we can give is get the economy open and operating in a COVID-safe manner, “ Dr Gillespie said.