The Tasmanian government has provided support for a Greens bill before the Senate which has called for a federal government fund to be established to underwrite live events after the impacts of COVID-19.
Greens senator Sarah Hanson-Young after introducing the bill earlier this year said thousands of live events had been cancelled in 2020 and 2021.
"Across every state and territory, we have seen live events big and small cancelled due to COVID-19," she said.
READ MORE: 250 contacts of Tasmania's COVID case
"Without insurance, organisers of live events like these are at risk of being left millions of dollars out of pocket."
A committee has been established to scrutinise the bill.
It has a deadline of November 19 to report its findings.
Attorney-General Elise Archer in a submission said presenters and artists did not have a viable commercial market insurance option to protect them from cancellations caused by COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
She said the state government in December announced a $2 million Live Performance Support Program to support organisers to plan live performances this year.
"While support like the Live Performance Support Program in Tasmania provide some assistance, organisations and presenters planning national tours have no viable insurance or risk-sharing option," Ms Archer said.
"The protracted nature of the COVID-19 emergency has led to necessary border restrictions and snap lockdowns, making it almost important for presenters to plan live events and tours.
"A Live Performance Federal Guarantee Fund could potentially compensate presenters and artists for sunk costs and enable them to plan with some security."
What do you think? Send us a letter to the editor:
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
