LIBERALS NOWHERE TO BE FOUND WHEN IT COMES TO THE ARTS

Labor Senator for Tasmania, Catryna Bilyk, said that the Liberals’ failure to send a representative to an Edge Radio forum on the arts and music industries showed that they were running scared from the arts community.

“The Liberals are clearly embarrassed about their disastrous arts policy and the devastation it has wreaked on the industry, and they are ducking for cover,” Senator Bilyk said.

“As the Senator who led the Arts Senate Inquiry for Labor, I have heard from thousands of artists across Australia that they were betrayed and angry at the Turnbull Government’s savage cuts to their sector.

“The establishment of the Government’s so-called ‘Catalyst’ ministerial slush fund at the expense of Australia Council funding has created profound uncertainty for many arts organisations and individual artists.”

The forum, hosted by community radio station Edge Radio 99.3FM, was held last night at the Republic Bar and Café in North Hobart.

It covered topics such as arm’s length funding for the arts, cuts to the Australia Council, and ensuring that the arts and artists are a valued part of Australian society.

Senator Bilyk said she was pleased to be able to attend and put forward Labor’s positive plans for a creative Australia.

“The arts ecosystem is looking to a Shorten Labor Government to repair the damage done by the Liberals,” Senator Bilyk said.

“A Labor Government will close the Liberal’s ‘Catalyst’ ministerial slush fund and return the funding to the Australia Council.

“We will boost Australia Council funding by $20 million a year, deliver $60 million for the ABC to produce more local drama, boost the Regional Arts Fund by $2 million a year, invest $1.8 million in Sounds Australia to strengthen Australia’s live contemporary music industry, as well as $2.3 million a year to expand successful school music programs.”

For more information on Labor’s comprehensive plan for the arts, please visit: http://www.100positivepolicies.org.au/creative_industries_creative_country
SENATOR CATRYNA BILYK DEPUTY OPPOSITION WHIP SENATOR FOR TASMANIA