Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Arts spokesperson
The Premier ruled out covering Wide Angle Tasmania's funding shortfall, in question time today. This follows the federal cuts to the not for profit organisation and their announcement they would have to close their doors in June.
The government have $560M sitting in the Treasury vault, Wide Angle Tasmania's funding would be small change.
The closure of Wide Angle Tasmania is a barometer for funding cuts to the Arts, and a concerning sign of what's to come.
The government continually tells us in parliament that "all eyes are on Tasmania". They need to back up their rhetoric and commit to funding art production.
Most of arts organisations run on the smell of an oily rag, and need assistance to be economically sustainable.
Tasmania is becoming world renowned for our creative industries and the government has a responsibility to make sure we retain our market edge.