Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Melbourne Youth Orchestras

Jess WILSON (Kew) (13:33): I rise to express my deep disappointment, and the disappointment of many of my younger constituents, with the Allan Labor government’s decision not to fund the Melbourne Youth Orchestras. The Melbourne Youth Orchestras have 630 weekly participants, aged from eight to 25, and over 1000 students attended MYO’s recent summer and winter program. Since its establishment in 1967, Melbourne Youth Orchestras has developed a reputation for excellence in music education and has grown to be Victoria’s largest provider of music education outside the school system. MYO is committed to providing students from government schools with inadequate music programs, as well as young people from regional areas, those living with a disability and those experiencing financial challenges, with access to quality musical education. In 2024, 100 per cent of MYO state government funding – the equivalent of about $200,000 – was earmarked to assist students who often face barriers to participation. The Allan Labor government’s sudden cut to MYO has been left completely unexplained. MYO has been receiving state government funding since the 1960s. We know this government cannot manage money, but to cut $200,000 from the MYO is just unfair.

The MYO deserves answers rather than buck-passing between the Department of Education and Creative Victoria. It deserves transparency as to where this money otherwise went. The students that rely on this funding deserve access to musical education, and they deserve much better from this government. I call on the government to restore this funding immediately. But I will finish on a positive note and congratulate the 27 young musicians from Kew who have been accepted into the MYO this year.