So what stream are you in, this weekend?
I’m in the Creative Stream obviously. I mean they wouldn’t put me in the economy. (laughs)
Oh I’m sure you would have plenty to contribute.
Oh yeah… of course.
So, how has it been going so far?
Yeah great. There seems to be a real consensus that it all starts with education. Everyone seems to be on the same page with that and we’re all just tearing through it and getting our ideas down on paper.
So has this morning’s session focused mainly on the challenges ahead?
No, no. It’s not about problems; it’s about looking at the future, at where we want to go. Essentially what we’re doing is talking about what we want things to look like in 2020 and then looking at how we are going to achieve that. Sitting around and whinging would be a pointless waste of everyone’s time.
So what big idea have you brought to the table this weekend?
Well this isn’t my idea, it’s actually come from the Media and Entertainment and Arts Alliance, but I think it’s a good one.
Commercial broadcasters pay about 10 per cent of their gross revenue in a licence fee that goes to the government. What we’re proposing is that now that we’re living in this new digital age…new media age, is that telecommunication companies, internet service providers and other content providers pay one per cent of their gross annual revenue into a specific fund that then goes into the creative industries.
So it’s not government funding, we’re not asking for more money. What we’re asking for is for service providers to reinvest into the industries that are providing the content they use.
Fantastic. Now, I’m actually writing for a youth focused website so I was wondering what your thoughts are on the standard of young Australian performers that are currently coming through?
Well. We have very good schools for training young performers.
What I want to focus on, and I’m sure your readers will identify with this, is that when you’re at school the arts, creative industries and creative modes of thought are not valued as highly as science or maths. We, here at the summit, believe that creative thought should be of equal value and importance as maths and science throughout every stage of schooling.
Finally, do you think that this weekend will just be a talkfest and that there will be no outcomes?
I hope not. None of us would have turned up and spent an entire weekend in Canberra if it was just going to be a talkfest. (laughs)
I know what you mean. Thanks for your time.
No worries.
