The Victorian Government Live Performance Support Program from the LAST LOCKDOWN HAVE STILL NOT BEEN PAID? Danny Pearson and the Victorian state government need to address this.

If you think about what's kept the nations sanity intact during lockdowns it's undoubtedly the arts. EVERYTHING YOU WATCH AND LISTEN TO on Netflix, Stan, Amazon, Spotify etc. was created by artists. It's easily the most utilised and least supported industry throughout the the entire lockdown. We only want fair treatment, acknowledgement of our industry and a serious effort at realistic financial aid. People are suffering, please show you hear our song by signing our petition. With our voices united hopefully the government will hear us! 

The Victorian arts sector have been consistently ignored and avoided when it comes to useable government support throughout the Covid crisis. Many Victorian performers have EXACTLY the same business financial and structural setup as any other tradesperson. We pay taxes and declare all income. We can account to the dollar how much income we have lost due to each shutdown. There should be the same criteria for artists as there is for any other industry. We are constantly and infuriatingly asked to justify what and why we do what we do. We're not required to be activists. There's one question that should matter as it does for EVERY other industry. "Prove how much you lost or will lose?" That should be enough. That's it, treat us as you would any other business. 

We have also been disproportionally affected by every shutdown and ongoing capacity limitations. Yet we have been ignored or deliberately excluded from both state and federal government small business assistance. A two week lockdown for the community equates to a six week lockdown for the music performance industry. 

Don't be fooled the falsely labelled "Arts Grants" for business go directly to the hospitality venues and are not distributed to the artists. Infact the are specifically required not to be used to pay artists directly. THEY ARE HOSPITALITY GRANTS!

THE ARTISTS ARE THE ARTS INDUSTRY. We do not begrudge anyone else fair support in this tough time. We just want fair and equal treatment for our active and crucial industry. Furthermore it is infuriating to see false altruistic flags flying in our name. Stop it!

Help us be heard, help us reach those who can institute fair support.