Following questioning of Department officials in Canberra, Greens spokesperson for the arts Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said:
"Festivals will need significantly more than $6.5M in funding if they are to survive the summer season, particularly the small, medium and independent festivals we all love.
"We know that extreme weather is making it harder to put on large scale events, yet the budget package provided $0 in relief for rising insurance premiums.
"While additional funding for Australian festivals and live music is of course welcome, it is clear that local festivals need a real support package.
"The arts in Australia are being crunched in the cost of living crisis and they need support. Live performance events bring significant economic benefits that flow through to jobs in hospitality, tourism, trades and other sectors."
