Melbourne electorate
Ms SANDELL (Melbourne) (11:45): (2310) I have a question for the Minister for Creative Industries. Right now the pandemic has thrown us into really uncertain times. I have had so many people contact my office asking how we can support each other. I know a lot of people are doing the right thing: cancelling events, staying away from groups and washing their hands a lot. That is so important to keep the community safe, but of course a lot of people have also been affected by the flow-on effects of the virus. Cancelled gigs mean performers, crew, freelancers, sole traders and artists all lose work, and I am in daily contact with people who are looking at six months or more of little to no income. It has been really heartwarming to see so many residents contact me and offer to help. I have put up a page on my website, ellensandell.com/pandemic, where people can get information about how they can help others, but given that our arts community in my electorate will be especially hard hit, I would like to ask the arts minister if he will announce a stimulus package for the arts so that our festivals, our venues, our creators and gig and casual workers can survive the next few months and to put them in a good position to recover when this is over.