On Death and Taxes…Same Old Same!

The new budget, in an election year, has been dressed up as
one of a caring government that is generous and ambivalent but,
as usual, have failed to seriously address the inadequacies
towards the arts community and have failed to correct the huge
negative impact that the GST has had upon the arts as a whole.

To alleviate any doubt that the arts in particular, have suffered
more due to this repressive tax, consider this recent national
study of the arts industry which has found that the introduction of
the goods and services tax (GST) have been a key factor in the
big drop in art related attendances recorded the past 12 months.
The Sweeny arts report found 17 of the 22 leading art activities
have recorded a drop in attendances. Live theatre audiences fell
by more than 16 per cent, classical music audiences fell by 18
per cent and ballet by 11 per cent.

These researchers say the decline may be due to a number of
causes, but the introduction of the GST has had a major impact
on these documented trends. God only knows how much worse
will the arts suffer further under this newly imposed tax.
You don't have to be a genius to figure this out.
In spite of what the Howard government is saying, that the GST
is actually good for us, it negatively impacts all facets of our lives.

The extra funding for the National Art Gallery is welcome, but I
honestly doubt that it will endear this government to the hearts
of the arts community, simply there isn't not enough done.

At the end of the day, the old saying, "only death and taxes are
certain", can be safely updated now to "only death, taxes and
lousy governments are certain"!