Release: WA subsidises art industry with fire emergency funds

Release: WA subsidises art industry with fire emergency funds

“The government has yet again shown they cannot be trusted with taxpayer’s wallet,” said ATA Policy Director Emilie Dye. “While bushfires rage across Australia, the WA government has decided to use the Emergency Services Levy to subsidise the art industry.” 

The Australian Taxpayers’ Alliance, the nation’s largest grassroots advocacy group representing taxpayers, today condemned the WA government for wasting taxpayer dollars intended for the bushfire crisis on artwork in fire stations.

“Pencil pushing bureaucrats will be shocked to find taxpayers would like the Emergency Services Levy to go to helping with the fire emergency. If WA has extra money, they should consider sending those funds to the areas where it is most needed.

“All government rorts are egregious, but the time of crisis they become shocking. The art industry already receives $200 million every year from the taxpayers; they don’t need the money intended for emergencies.

“Firefighters need top notch equipment to help them in the line of duty, not postmodern statues installed to give some ‘struggling’ artist a little extra business.”