The Arts Industry Pens Open Letter Plea to the Federal Government

Entertainers from across the nation have pushed for reform of the arts and creative industries sector in an open letter to the federal government.

The industry has suffered throughout the pandemic, with continuous pleas for government support.

Live Events, Entertainment and Arts have been for the most part overlooked.

The mental health of our industry workers is at an all-time low given our ‘forgotten industry’ status.

The report highlighted that the large majority of artists in Australia have been ineligible for relief payments

 

Chinese Court Jails Canadian For 11 Years on Spying Charges

A Chinese court has sentenced Canadian businessman Michael Spavor  to 11 years in prison, in a decision likely to further undermine an already poor relationship between China and Canada.

Spavor, who for years ran a travel and cultural exchange business between China and North Korea, was convicted of espionage and illegally providing state secrets at Dandong city’s Intermediate People’s Court.

Greece Wildfire Standstill

Greece’s wildfires are ravaging the country as authorities have described some of the scenes to be apocalyptic. 

 

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis says Greece is facing a natural disaster of unprecedented proportions as wildfires spread in all corners of the country. 

 

63 organised evacuations have taken place in recent days as the Prime Minister apologised for any weaknesses the government has shown in trying to contain and control these fires. 

 

Margaret Court's church recieves $500K in JobKeeper despite revenue barely decreasing

More than $500K in job keeper given to Margaret Court’s controversial church despite revenue barely decreasing.

When questioned, the ATO stated that they, “do not have an identifier in the ATO systems that would help distinguish religious practitioners from employees including lay people”

Court has been largely vocal with her opposition against same sex marriage and actively spoutes hurtful and divisive claims against members of the LGBTQ community. 

 

Covid Health and Safety Guidelines in question

Queensland workers want new guidelines about working from the office full time while the risk of the highly infectious Delta strain of COVID-19 lurk in the air. 

 

Many workers are requesting to work from either two to three days a week during the COVID era. 

 

Workers are also suggesting a full return to the office when Queensland’s COVID-19 vaccination rates improve.

 

Sydney man sneaks into Byron Bay

A Sydney resident is under investigation after travelling into Byron Bay whilst infectious with COVID-19. 

The man is said to have driven into Byron Bay with his two children and didn’t use the QR check in codes. Byron Bay has since entered a 7 day lockdown.

 

Taxpayers paying $40 per train trip

Data has been released showing that taxpayers are now paying $40 for every trip taken through the South East Queensland train line despite a substantial decrease in commuters since the beginning of the Pandemic. 

The subsidy was expected to decrease to $24.21 for rail, $3.42 for bus and $4.21 for light rail by 2023-24, however, Queensland Transport Minister- Mark Bailey, stated,