MEDIA RELEASE: Polling Brief: Most Australians Want Government Lifeline for the Creative Industries #auspol https://www.tai.org.au/content/most-australians-want-government-lifeline-creative-industries

New research from @TheAusInstitute has found that more than one in two Australians agree that the Government should double funding for the @AusCouncilArts to help support the arts during #COVID19 #auspol

and the majority of Australians (62%) agree that online streaming services should be subject to similar Australian content obligations as televisions stations are. #aupol

Most Australians (68%) underestimate the number of people employed in the creative arts relative to coal mining. (Only 7% correctly answer that the arts employ significantly more than coal mining does.) #auspol

During lockdown, Australians are participating in more cultural activities.

Most Australians are watching more tv shows (61%) & movies (54%). 31% of Australians are reading more fiction & 25% more non-fiction. #auspol

“With the Gov $60b JobKeeper overestimate, there's little excuse why it can't afford to now double the funding to @AusCouncilArts & incl. arts workers in JobKeeper part of an arts & entertainment industry rescue package,” - @R_o_d_C Research Director of @TheAusInstitute #auspol

“The #COVID19 crisis has hit the arts hard, w reports of over $330 million in contracts lost. This comes on top of the challenges already facing the sector, such as the substantial reductions in federal funding in recent years,” - Rod Campbell, @R_o_d_C #auspol

"Prior to COVID-19 the Australia Council was already in a funding crisis and it would be a wise move for the Government to double its funding and provide a much-needed lifeline to the arts and entertainment industry," - @R_o_d_C #auspol