The Australian GREENS
MEDIA RELEASE
CR. DAVID RISSTROM, SENATE CANDIDATE FOR VICTORIA
Friday, 30 July 2004
FTA a threat to artists and entertainers say Greens
The so-called Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the United States is a major threat to
the Australian entertainment industry and will 'cancel the show' for Australian artists and
entertainers said David Risstrom, Greens Senate candidate for Victoria.
"Under the FTA, the Australian government is signing away its support of our local artists and
entertainers", said Mr Risstrom.
"Any financial support to help Australian artists and entertainers would be seen as a subsidy and a
barrier to trade under the FTA".
"The Australian government under the FTA will limit its ability to implement new legislation or
guarantee local content", said Mr Risstrom.
"The entertainment industry is continually changing and the government needs to retain the ability
to adapt to those changes. Canada did in their FTA with the USA".
Mr Risstrom has challenged the government to follow Canada's lead and retain the ability to
promote and develop the art and entertainment industries.
"The proposed FTA, while denying support to local artists, would allow US artists and even
corporations to access financial support from the Australian government", said Mr Risstrom.
The Australian Greens are opposed to the FTA, "we recognise the important contribution that artists
and entertainers make to Australian culture and the community and share the concern of many
artists and entertainers that the FTA will cancel the show", said Mr Risstrom.
The Greens call for a Fair Trade Agreement not a Free Trade Agreement.
-ENDS-
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