Paul Kelly plays a bushfire benefit to thousands at the MCG. (Martin Philbey, Redferns)
The Australian events industry says it is facing the scrap heap after federal and state governments have ignored its pleas for help.
It is asking the Morrison government to underwrite COVID-19 cancellation insurance and offer direct grants to operators to ensure events continue in Australia.
Without support, organisers say events will become markedly worse, increasingly expensive, and few and far between.
The country may have largely sidestepped the worst of the pandemic, but Australians shouldn’t expect major events to be part of their ‘new normal’, as the local industry teeters on the brink and planned festivals get trashed.