And thus, shrouded by doom of Shakespearean proportions the curtain goes down on the Australian arts sector.
Not through any fault or mismanagement of its own, but a cursed virus has cast a pox on all of our stages and screens.
It’s tempting to write in theatrical flourish, to write metaphorically of tragedy of Greek proportions, but any Hollywood scriptwriter would tell you: “This ain’t the time or the place.”
This is a time for sober realisation, and more importantly for action.
The whole economy is under pressure.
The newly formed National Cabinet has been likened to a War Cabinet. Ably led by PM Scott Morrison, it has already delivered confidence throughout Australia thanks to its strong and considered decisions.
It has been a time to put down the swords and work together for the arts sector, every other sector and the health of the nation.
On another front, I have argued strongly that Australians should be able to access their superannuation.
Super is the nest egg for a rainy day, and for many in the arts economy that rainy day is today. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has now allowed financially distressed superannuants to withdraw $10,000 this financial year, and another $10,000 after June.
I fully agree with him when he says: “Government spending can only go so far. Australians need to be able to access their money during these extraordinary times, when doing so will help cushion the blow for so many families doing it tough.”
Super is the workers’ money so don’t hesitate to contact your super fund after 20 April when the early access scheme commences. If you have any problems accessing any of our new schemes, please get in touch with me at [email protected]
In the meantime I urge you all to observe social distancing measures. Please stay home unless it’s for essentials.
We can and will beat this, but it will obviously take some time before we call “lights, camera, action.”
The show must go on.