On 13 May, the Australia Council announced cuts in funding for small to medium arts companies which are the legacy of the Coalition Government’s 2015 budget cuts to the Australia Council.

Our small to medium companies are a vital part of the live performance industry in our state. They are innovators, they develop new and emerging talent, they provide jobs and career paths for talented Australians on and off the stage.

These cuts will have flow on effects across the live performance industry, including performing arts companies, venues, festivals and the commercial sector. We risk losing our creative and technical talent overseas in pursuit of job and career opportunities no longer available to them in Australia.

I call on the Federal Government to return the $72.8 million in funding to the Australia Council that has been cut by the Coalition so that we can continue to support a dynamic, growing and sustainable live performance industry in Australia.