Tuesday, 31 March 2026

 David DAVIS (Southern Metropolitan) presented a petition bearing 10,989 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council concerns that the Allan Labor Government, through Creative Victoria, has announced that Writers Victoria will have its annual funding reduced by 100 per cent, that is to zero. Victoria will now be the only mainland state without funding to a writer’s organisation to support writers.

The move to completely cut funding threatens jobs, programs, access to opportunities, and the very survival of Writers Victoria that has long played a vital role in supporting the ongoing development of Victorian writers. The cuts are also inconsistent with Melbourne’s position as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) city of literature.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to reverse the decision to cut state funding to Writers Victoria.

David DAVIS: As this is a petition qualifying for debate under standing order 11.03(10), I give notice that I intend to move ‘That the petition be taken into consideration’ on Wednesday next sitting week.