Wednesday, 22 March 2023

 Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:30): I rise today to highlight the value of the creative industries to the Victorian economy. Most of us here will regard some part of the creative industries with great affection, whether it be film, architecture or design. I know for a fact that some of us have worked in the creative industries. The member for Narre Warren South even had some tracks played on Triple J, I am told. It is fair to say most people in this place and indeed beyond its walls are aware of how sectors like the visual arts, theatre and festivals enrich our lives and enable our society to reflect on itself, imagine a better future and have a good time and enjoy ourselves.

But there is another story, one less told but no less compelling, and one our government has known and acted on since 2014. Creative industries is very much an economic portfolio. In fact at this point one in 11 Victorians work in the creative industries. That is over 319,000 Victorians and rising. In the 2021–22 financial year, when total Victorian employment rose by 2.5 per cent, the creative industries workforce rose by 2.9 per cent – greater than the average. There are over 45,000 creative sector businesses in Victoria, responsible for $35 billion of value-add to the economy. This includes the digital games industry, said to be worth around $300 billion by next year globally. Victoria is well placed to capitalise on this growth. Victoria leads Australia in the digital games sector, having the lion’s share of the workforce and the businesses right here. Victoria’s position is no accident. It is a direct result of the Andrews Labor government having a creative strategy and investing in the creative industries. I note that in their four years in power there was not one piece of policy on the arts, culture or creative industries – not one. I pay tribute on the other hand to my predecessors Martin Foley and Danny Pearson. Under this government the creative industries workforce will be bolder and bolder.