Yahoo Finance Uproar over photo of Queensland Premier at Super Rugby final
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has copped backlash over her attendance at the Super Rugby final between the Queensland Reds and Brumbies on Saturday night.
Palaszczuk watched on from the stands as the Reds sealed a remarkable 19-16 win at Suncorp Stadium five minutes after the full-time siren.
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The Queensland Premier posted a photo of herself and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe on Twitter after the game celebrating the Reds' triumph.
“Queensland are the comeback kings!” she tweeted.
“What a win ... in front of 41,637 fans at Suncorp Stadium.”
However the tweet didn't go down particularly well with some of Australia's leading musicians.
Singer Amy Shark (from the Gold Coast) led the uproar, accusing Palaszczuk of failing to show the same support for the music industry.
“I wish you’d support the music industry like this @AnnastaciaMP. We need help,” Shark responded.
Brisbane indie band Ball Park Music were also left fuming.
“Yeah this is f*****, do more for the arts,” the band’s Twitter account commented.
I wish you’d support the music industry like this @AnnastaciaMP we need help x https://t.co/XINspL5tCv
— Amy Shark (@amyshark) May 8, 2021
And they weren't alone.
“It’s insulting seeing the number of people allowed to cram into sports stadiums while we are left with half capacities and no wriggle room,” another user tweeted.
Please allow music venues to increase their capacities. It’s insulting seeing the number of people allowed to cram into sports stadiums while we are left with half capacities and no wriggle room. Music saves people’s lives. Give it the support it deserves.
— Eves Karydas (@eveskarydas) May 9, 2021
idk i don’t think the queensland live music industry will be making a comeback post-pandemic considering your consistent effort to not give them even close to the amount of support you give sport
— jackson langford (@jacksonlangford) May 8, 2021
Brisbane's live music industry does so much for the community. We have some of the nations best creatives and you won't let them work. They deserve more. #supportaussiemusic
— Whyitskeri (@Whyitskeri) May 9, 2021
how about supporting the music industry and also the performing arts. Help give it the support which it deserves!
— Trish💛💛 (@Triciajayn13) May 9, 2021
Pitty you don’t care about live music as much 🤷🏼♀️
— Makayla (@makaylalalaa) May 9, 2021
Queensland pledges $1.3 million to music industry
Music gigs are still heavily restricted in Queensland due to Covid-19.
Indoor venues can hold 100 per cent capacity, but only if the event is seated with allocated tickets.
The one-person-per-two square metre rule still applies for events that are not seated.
Last week, the Queensland government pledged $1.3 million in funding to live music venues across the state.
“Notably, there is no difference between the rules at sporting events and live music venues (indoor or outdoor) when it comes to standing or sitting,” a spokesperson for Queensland Health said.
“If all attendees are seated and accounted for, the transmission risk is minimised and the ability to contact trace is made much easier.
“Current restrictions exist because we know there is an increased risk of transmission at venues without allocated seating such as restaurants, cafes, music halls, pubs and nightclubs where there is typically high flow of people, movement of people and where people may mingle.
“Our restrictions are similar to those in place in most other jurisdictions across Australia, including New South Wales and Victoria.
“The reality is the risks from COVID are not over yet, and easing restrictions has always been a phased approach and managed sensibly to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all Queenslanders.”
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