Tuesday, 20 February 2024

Pascoe Vale electorate

Anthony CIANFLONE (Pascoe Vale) (14:49): (507) My constituency question is for the Minister for Creative Industries. What funding programs are available to help support arts and creative businesses, community organisations, workers and events across Pascoe Vale, Coburg and parts of Brunswick West? The arts are central to Victoria’s way of life, cultural fabric and identity, sparking the imagination, nourishing our souls and driving inspiration for younger and older Victorians. The arts are an essential pillar of our state’s vibrancy and wellbeing. Along with the cultural dividends that the arts provide us with, there are also the economic dividends that we are well aware of. As outlined in the creative state strategy by the Victorian government, the sector is worth $38.7 billion to the state’s economy, representing a 7.4 per cent share of the total economy. It employs over 324,000 Victorians, almost 9 per cent of our total workforce. In my community it contributes over $935 million to the economy, employing 9300 local residents, including writers, songwriters, musicians, illustrators, film and digital content creators, producers, photographers, performers, fashion designers and much more. We are home to many vibrant art community facilities, and we would welcome funding opportunities from the minister.