ALMBC Advocacy Update
The ALMBC has continued to focus on its advocacy role over the past few months, working closely with members and partner organisations to raise key issues with the Federal Government, along with State and Territory authorities.
Earlier this month ALMBC Chair Stephen Wade and EGM Craig Spann gave evidence to the ongoing Federal Parliamentary inquiry into the state of the arts sector – with a particular focus on the impact of COVID. ALMBC used the opportunity to stress the long-term impact the pandemic will have on the sector and the need for urgent strategic investment at a national level.
To find out more about the inquiry or to access transcripts and written submissions, head here.
Craig Spann also spoke to Radio National after the hearing to raise concerns about industry recovery in the face of unprecedented disruption. You can listen to that interview here.
ALMBC has continued to maintain close relationships with the Federal Arts Ministry through regular meetings that have provided real-time updates on current conditions within our industry while continuing to push for quicker investment to support business survival across the industry.
Input from ALMBC members additionally played a key role in presenting an industry ‘Survival Package’ proposal to Treasury. That proposal centred on the provision of strategic funding to live music businesses to offset hard costs – such as rent and insurances – until trading conditions return to normal in 2021. We will provide details on Treasury’s formal response when received.
On a State and Territory level, ALMBC continues to work with and support businesses and industry organisations across the country given that local COVID-related trading restrictions continue to impact on trading conditions for the industry and recovery through 2021. Navigating those conditions will also dictate a return to ‘normal’ for national, and eventually inbound international, touring.