WA Premier Mark McGowan has backflipped on his decision to open the state's borders on 5 February, just three weeks from the proposed date.
The decision concerning Australia's strictest current border rules has divided the state and the country – some praising the Premier for exercising his duty of care amid the pandemic, others questioning his reasons given the rest of the country's more flexible approach of learning to live with the virus.
“Heartbroken. I may now miss my sister's wedding,” LA-based Nine News reporter Jerrie Demasi tweeted.
“I'm so angry and I don't have words,” Channel Seven sports presenter Abbey Gelmi, who was raised in Perth, posted to Instagram. “Mark McGowan is out of control.”
On a human level this decision has already noticeably affected interstate family and friends of those in WA, but it's also a particularly polarising issue for some making their living in the arts. The third largest fringe festival in the world, Fringe World, is currently underway in Perth.
Extended border restrictions mean travelling acts – including those reliant on the festival circuit for income – are having to carefully consider their next move and wonder whether original plans for performing (and making money) can conceivably go ahead.
Natalie Bochenski is a performer and co-founder of Brisbane theatre collective Act React. Act React was due to present two shows for Fringe World, both of which no longer able to proceed.
“Mark McGowan's 'Fortress WA' policy is well-known, so even if this move is not totally surprising, it doesn't stop it being any less devastating,” Natalie says. “Fringe World worked so hard to help us push our shows back to after the 5 February re-opening date, and no doubt did the same for many interstate artists. They knew that the costs of quarantining for two weeks were too high for most artists to bear.”
“The WA government has hurt the Fringe itself as well as artists, as the festival now has huge gaps in its programme.”
On the other side of the coin, Fringe World CEO Sharon Burgess is in support of the government's decision, given Fringe World 2022's artist base of predominantly local talent.
“The programme features 80 per cent Western Australian artists and the border announcement ensures that our local performers will continue to get a chance to earn an income and entertain our community right through until the Festival ends on 13 February,” Sharon says.
According to a recent Fringe World release (posted 13 January) there are more than 1,900 artists involved in this year's festival. This suggests interstate acts make up numbers of a total of at least 380 in that line-up and, as in Natalie's case, are potentially stuck outside WA. Briefs Factory, who missed the chance to play Fringe World in 2021 due to a similar border closure situation, have only just made it over the line for 2022.
“Costs have been spent – flights, accommodation, registration fees, marketing costs. Some may be refundable, but others are sunk. We spent it in good faith, and that should be acknowledged,” Natalie says. “The federal government has pushed the importance of reopening the economy. Well, the creative sector is part of the economy. It contributes billions, and helps shape us culturally as a country.”
Natalie's only wish is that those within the borders of WA aren't afraid to take in the shows still able to go ahead at Fringe World.
“I can only hope Perth locals use this opportunity to feel a bit safer and get out and support their local artists.”
