Wednesday, 30 August 2023

Ministers statements: Geelong Arts Centre

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Creative Industries) (14:19): A few weeks ago I attended the Geelong Arts Centre opening, the $140 million redevelopment of the Little Malop Street precinct. I am proud to be part of an Andrews Labor government that does what matters. We are the creative capital of the country, but this is not just a Melbourne story, this is a story right through Victoria. As the member for Geelong, the member for Bellarine, the member for South Barwon, the member for Lara and of course the Premier will tell you, Geelong now has the biggest dedicated performing arts centre in regional Australia. That is worth repeating: the biggest dedicated performing arts centre in regional Australia.

Daniel Andrews: All Labor seats. Shame.

Steve DIMOPOULOS: All Labor seats. That is an act of faith by our government in Geelong’s stories, in Geelong’s people and in their creatives. It is an act of faith in Geelong companies like Back to Back Theatre, who by the way won what many dub as the Nobel Prize of theatre, the Ibsen award, an internationally acclaimed award. It is an act of faith in future stars of this country like the talented Rachel Griffiths, who started in Geelong in a theatre group called Woolly Jumpers. It is not just about those stories, however. It is every young person who gets to perform at that world-class facility. It is every parent that goes to cheer them on. It is about local theatre groups. It is about national performing arts institutions like the Australian Ballet, who get to perform in world-class facilities in regional Victoria. Behind the curtain there are heaps of jobs – hospitality jobs, costume designers, technicians, crew.

This extraordinary building is a testament to Geelong’s aspirations. It is a testament to all the people who have come before me: Minister Pearson; Minister Foley, the previous minister; the Premier of course from day one; Lisa Neville; people like the member for Geelong, who has been an advocate from day one; and all the other Geelong Labor members. It is an extraordinary facility. It will be there for generations. In fact, can I just say the Liberal–National opposition might want to discover Geelong. Particularly with the V/Line cheap fares, maybe you could get yourselves down there.