Wednesday, 26 August 2026

 Gabrielle DE VIETRI (Richmond) (09:57): Whether you are watching a gig from the iconic beer-soaked carpet at the Tote or underneath the ornate statues of the Forum, audiences in Victoria get to experience the joy and connection that our brilliant music industry brings. But this Labor government has failed to back our musicians and artists in return. Instead of investing in our creative industries, Labor has consistently cut funding from the arts. Key funding is down 35 per cent in real terms over the last five years. It is becoming harder for artists to make work, let alone a living, and organisations and venues are facing closure amid absolutely untenable pressure.

That is why I am backing Music Victoria’s election asks: establishing a Victorian music trust, a permanent fund for Victorian music that is funded by a 1 per cent levy on ticket sales from major live music events; backing Victorian artists and the music that they make by expanding investment in Victorian music by at least $9 million a year – that is not very much; building careers, skills and audiences across Victoria at every stage, from the classroom to touring; and protecting and growing the places where music happens by investing in and protecting live music venues and precincts and simplifying regulation. I call on the minister to join me in backing Music Victoria’s election asks.