Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): The electorate of Northcote is deeply proud of our live music scene and our creative industries. Our area is filled with talented artists, musicians, actors, teachers and businesses that have coloured our community, making it an incredible place to live. They are a big part of our social and economic life in Northcote. But as we know, the creative industries were among the hardest hit during the pandemic. Left behind by the federal government, many of these workers and businesses really struggled as the year progressed. That is why our creative industries support has been so vital.

Last year alone 110 local artists, musicians and venues across Northcote shared over $1.3 million in creative industries funding through programs like our Sustaining Creative Workers scheme and our music industry recovery program, and many of the recipients are iconic to Northcote, like the Northcote Social Club, the Wesley Anne, Open Studio and the Thornbury Theatre. I know from speaking to them that this funding has made an incredible difference. Of course yesterday the Minister for Creative Industries announced another $5.6 million in grants for the creative sector, and I encourage my community to check them out and to apply. But most of all as we kick off 2021 I want to thank and congratulate all our local creative industry workers for your perseverance and for what you contribute to our community. Here’s to a bright and musical 2021.