PM Transcripts

jj A USFHALIA J,
PRIME MINISTER PRESS STATEMENT NO. 347
22 October 1974
INDUSTRIES ASSISTANCE COMMISSION INQUIRY INTO THE
PERFORMING ARTS IN AUSTRALIA
The Prime Minister, Mr Whitlam, announced today that
he had referred the question of assistance for the Performing
Arts in Australia to the Industries Assistance Commission for
inquiry and report. He said that he had been informed that
the Commercial Theatre in Australia is experiencing difficulties
at present and he considered it desirable that the question
of assistance for the Performing Arts as a whole should be
subject to a full and public inquiry by the Commission.
Mr Whitlam recalled that the Tariff Board ( the
predecessor of the Commission) inquired into the production of
Motion Picture Films and Television Programs in Australia and
its report had been well received by those involved in the
industry. He felt that this new inquiry should similarly be
welcomed by those involved in the Performing Arts.
Mr Whitlam said that for the purpose of the inquiry
Performing Arts including live performances of ballet, dance,
opera, music, drama, music hall, vaudeville, puppetry and
the like. The Commission was however free to take evidence on,
and if considered necessary, to make recommendations on any
other matter it considered relevant to the inquiry.
CANBERRA A. C. T.