Appearing on the show Friday to discuss the next The time of young talents 50th birthday special, Arena’s mood changed when host Angela Bishop asked her how she lived in her hometown of Melbourne, which is expected to have had the most days of confinement of any city in the world on October 4. .

“I really struggled and I’m comfortable saying it. I had a very difficult time, like a lot of people. I am deeply against being locked up – the injustice is too great, ”Arena began.

“I also hate the differentiation between sport and the arts in Australia. As an artistic community, we are now going to draw the line in the sand and say, “No more double standards now,” she continued.

“Sport is a good thing, but life is not just about sport, life is about art and culture… I would encourage the arts community to come forward, and I encourage everyone to come forward. world to start thinking straight now. “

Bishop noted that various large-scale music events were canceled at short notice during this pandemic, “but never the soccer game.”

“It’s a blatant disrespect,” Arena said.

“I’m sorry, it’s rude, disrespectful and shouldn’t be allowed to play at all. Never silence an artist – we play an important role in the social fabric of any country. It is freedom of speech, and I will fight for it until the day I die.

Bishop noted that one of Arena’s few appearances on stage in recent years – aside from its May nationwide tour, which ended just before this latest round of blockages – came during the Firefight charity concert in February. 2020 for the victims of the Australian bushfires.

“It seems that people have forgotten the artistic community when they are in need, ”she suggested, to which Arena agreed.

“In the event of a problem, the artistic community has always rolled up its sleeves. We went there and did what we had to do. We’re very happy to play this role to help people – that’s what we do, ”said Arena.

“Now we have problems, can anyone help us?” No. It’s amazing how people fly away and disappear, yet they ask us very quickly to work for free, to forgo any form of remuneration on record sales.

“You know what? DONE. We’re done, and now we say it. Just stop this ridiculous and absurd behavior. It has to stop.

Arena ended the interview on a hopeful note, telling Bishop his plans for the near future were to “work”.

“Don’t cancel any of these tours, ladies and gentlemen, keep your tickets!” We have to work, the public needs a little break, so the immediate future for us is that we will see you at work as soon as possible.

Arena’s passion struck a chord with viewers.

“I’m ready for Tina Arena to be PM,” tweeted a fan.

“That’s what I love about Tina Arena, not being afraid to say what she thinks and tell her how it is. Who cares about sports. I prefer music thanks, ”said another.

“Tina expresses what we all feel. We are an incredibly resilient community, but we are more than exhausted ”, wrote another.