Thursday, 24 February 2022

Nevermind Bar

Mr KENNEDY (Hawthorn) (17:11): (6239) My adjournment matter is for the Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Regulatory Reform, Minister for Government Services, Minister for Creative Industries—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order!

Mr KENNEDY: and the undoubted star of question time today. The action I seek is that the minister join me in visiting the iconic Nevermind Bar in Hawthorn, where I live. ‘Nevs’ is the name of the Nevermind Bar, and it recently received a Victorian live music venue grant from the state government, greatly assisting the Hawthorn music scene. Nevs has had many fantastic performances over its 20-year history. After all, it is a venue famed for its capacity to produce first-rate musicians—

Members interjecting.

The SPEAKER: Order! I just ask the member for Hawthorn to resume his seat. If members at the table want to continue debating a previous point of order, they can maybe do so outside. The member for Hawthorn should be heard in silence.

Mr KENNEDY: Thank you, Speaker. Perhaps my fellow parliamentarians are familiar with names like Chet Faker or Ali Barter. Indeed many musicians who have played at this stellar venue have gone on to win Triple J and ARIA awards. It also showcases the strong student community in Hawthorn, with students from across the city travelling to attend bustling venues like this one—as well as our locals from Swinburne University. Indeed our local businesses are getting busier with each passing weekend, and the arts fuel the vitality of our local economy. Our fantastic local music scene is a key contributor to our incredibly vibrant university district.

Members of this house might be surprised by how frequently I drop by this local music venue. I myself was surprised not to recognise any of the records that were played the last time I visited, I have to say. What I will say is that the Nevermind is a huge contributor to an incredibly vibrant precinct in my electorate of Hawthorn. They actively support many local student, sporting and LGBTIQA associations and bodies. Venues like this are so important because they build communities—communities centred around a shared love of music and all things creative. I am proud of how my government has assisted Nevs. It exemplifies how our ambition in this area goes beyond recovery. It is a forward-thinking vision to build our creative industries and our economy.