Thursday, 22 February 2024

Ministers statements: regional events

Steve DIMOPOULOS (Oakleigh – Minister for Environment, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Outdoor Recreation) (14:42): It is fair to say we are continuing our love story with Victoria’s world-class sporting, arts and cultural events in regional communities. Our regional events calendar is a key part of Victoria’s $36.9 billion visitor economy, which continues to grow. In fact since 2019 our tourism economy has grown in every region in this state. We had the recent Ballarat International Foto Biennale, which I know the members for Wendouree, Eureka and Ripon loved. Last month I joined the member for Geelong and the huge crowds at the annual Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race and the Festival of Sails. Late last year I opened the Emerging from Darkness exhibition at the Hamilton Gallery in the member for Lowan’s electorate, one of the most ambitious exhibitions ever held in regional Australia.

A fundamental part of our regional economies is the delivery of events, because they attract visitors and they support local jobs. Many of these are funded by the Regional Events Fund, which has been telling stories and showcasing our culture on a local, state and international level. This Labour Day weekend Lakes Entrance will show why it is the fishing mecca, with Hooked on Lakes returning for its seventh year running. It is a free event open to the public where families can experience the wonders of East Gippsland. In the Allan Labor government we are not just hooked on lakes, we are hooked on making Victoria a recreational fisher’s wildest dream. We have stocked our waterways, invested in better piers, jetties and ramps and made it cheaper for families to get out on the water by abolishing fees. When you grab your fishing rod, pull out your best bait and cast out a line, know that only the very good salmon will jump on the bait to take the hook.