Michelle Ananda-Rajah (Higgins, Australian Labor Party) | Link to this | Hansard source

Bubbling away in the heart of Prahran is a hub of expression and creativity. It sits at a confluence of song, dance, theatre and the circus arts. From its centre radiate career pathways, like spokes on a wheel, for young people unswayed by perennial doubts about the future of the arts, their financial viability or their value to society. The Albanese government, like these young artists, harbours no such reservations about the arts—in fact, quite the opposite. When our arts minister refers to artists as essential workers in the company of nurses, you can appreciate what the arts actually mean to us. We spurn romanticisation of the arts, as it belies the very real challenges facing the sector and our artists, including insecurity of conditions and pay, issues we intend to address by the newly formed Creative Australia and in our national policy, aptly termed Revive.

Patrick School of the Arts attracts students from all over Australia, who combine study with the creative pursuits, including song, dance and theatre. The students work incredibly hard, knowing that, thanks to the reputation of the school and the character and skills training they acquire, their pathway will lead to bigger arenas. 'I have learned how to be resilient, tenacious, gracious and caring, as well as how to kick my leg and sing a top C,' said one student. Glowing testimonials from alumni to me tell a story of ambition turned into careers under the mentorship and professional networks of Todd and his team.

The National Institute of Circus Arts teaches young people from across Australia to soar. Under the watchful gaze of their teachers, many of whom have worked in the circus sector, these students fly, tumble and twirl, in many cases towards international careers lasting decades. Teachers return to NICA to give back, thereby building an institutional memory that money can't buy. To make ends meet, NICA provides a range of fun after-school programs, facilitated by its own students, in state-of-the-art facilities.

I am pleased that our government has provided ongoing funding. We, like those in the Victorian government, see great potential in this precinct, and we are going to do everything we can to facilitate that. We recognise the challenges faced by artists who straddle the fault line between sole trader/entrepreneur and worker. They seek autonomy but require the financial security to thrive. We are determined to improve their working conditions to enable long and fruitful careers. It's in our national interest to do so. To our emerging artists: you are agents of wonder, desperately needed in our frenetic, transactional lives. Given the success of these graduates, we should celebrate them. (Time expired)