The ways we support our culture give us strength in difficult times. The COVID inquiry must ensure that disruptions to Australian art cannot occur again.

With the likelihood of future pandemics and crises assured, the federal government’s announcement of a year-long COVID inquiry is timely. But beyond investigating the health and economic impacts of the pandemic, we need to look closely at the deliberate policy decisions made during that period to jeopardise our cultural life: the ways we learn from Australian educators, researchers and artists, and the ways they earn their livings. 

Disturbingly, this happened right when we needed them most…

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IMAGE: AAP/ Mick Tsikas for Crikey