Federal Election 2022: What Guy Sebastian, Montaigne, Lime Cordiale want parties to promise

Guy Sebastian is one of many music stars who have spoken out on what the parties need to do to ensure Aussies are supported into the future.

Political pundits say there are no votes in the arts. Guy Sebastian begs to differ.

He points at the tens of thousands of arts workers, who had no or little gigs over two years of lockdowns and border restrictions, and now face the constant threat of Covid infections forcing postponements and cancellations.

As Sebastian finally kicked off his rescheduled T.R.U.T.H. tour last week, he feared the financial damage he would suffer if he gets Covid on the road and reiterated the live entertainment industry’s desperate need for the safety net of a national business interruption fund as concerts come back in full force.

“What happens if I get Covid and my whole week of shows can’t go ahead … you go bankrupt and then you can’t help any of your band and crew,” he said.

“I think it’s honestly a reflection of what it is like as an artist touring at the moment. You feel like anything could crumble your world and that’s a big stress; we just need a little bit of certainty.”

Guy Sebastian thinks voters should side with those who support the arts. Picture: Josie Hayden

Sebastian said the lion’s share of the $200 million RISE grants handed out to support the return of live entertainment went to promoters or arts companies and there had been little trickle down to workers.

But he said artists wouldn’t go “begging” to politicians, even as they take on the financial risks of getting back on the road.

“I think that people just need to elect the right people who have a realisation that support for the arts needs to happen,” Sebastian said.

Artists have started getting involved in the 2022 election campaign mostly via two social media initiatives.

Something for Kate is supporting pledging support for No Music on A Dead Planet. Picture: Instagram

No Music On A Dead Planet, run by Green Music Australia, centres climate action as the primary policy issue, with more than 50 artists including Ella Hooper, Montaigne, Something For Kate, In Hearts Wake and Tame Impala’s Kevin Parker pledging support.

“I mostly believe solutions to the climate crisis are structural, and so this is a plea from me to you to vote for the planet this coming Australian federal election!” Montaigne posted.

“We can’t afford another government that sits on its hands for another three years!”

It Takes 3 is advocating for independents whose platforms address green energy, gender equality and safety of women, and an integrity commission.

Artists including Jack River, Lime Cordiale and former Triple J host Alex Dyson, who is standing as an independent candidate for the Victorian seat of Wannon, have posted for #ItTakes3.

High profile candidates who have “get to know” profiles on the campaign’s official Instagram page include Zoe Daniel, Dr Monique Ryan, Allegra Spender and Kate Chaney.

Australian brothers Lime Cordiale, aka Louis and Oli and Leimbach, have thrown their support behind #ItTakes3, and will headline Election Beats. Pics Adam Head

Lime Cordiale will headline an Election Beats “talks and music” event in Avalon on Sunday hosted by Dr Sophie Scamps, who is standing in Mackellar.

The Greens are the only major party to announce a comprehensive arts policy for the 2022 election so far with their Creative Australia initiative. The ALP is expected to release their plan in the coming weeks.

The Morrison government announced they would top up the RISE grants pot with an extra $20 million in the recent federal budget.

Got a story tip? Email us at [e-mail]

Know some goss or seen something in your electorate? Contact us at [e-mail]

Originally published as Federal Election 2022: What Guy Sebastian, Montaigne, Lime Cordiale want parties to promise