Ms THEOPHANOUS (Northcote): My question is to the Minister for Creative Industries, and I ask: what steps are being taken to support our events and live music industries to recover from the pandemic? Northcote is deeply proud of its local live music scene, events and creative industries. They are a big part of our social and economic fabric, creating jobs and social connection. From the Northcote Social Club to Swamplands Bar, the Merri Creek Tavern, the Peacock, Croxton Bandroom, the Wesley Anne, Open Studio and the Thornbury Theatre, just to name a few, we are home to some of the state’s most amazing live music spots. But nothing can truly replace being open for business. We are now rapidly speeding towards reopening, but there are still going to be challenges, like density limits and patron hesitancy. We must make sure these industries are supported to grow and thrive. I would be very grateful for an update on this work.

Answer

Answered: 21 December 2021

The Andrews Government is proud of the support we have provided to our world-famous live music sector to respond to and recover from the devastating effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

And we are proud to have worked closely with the music industry to design our targeted support programs.

Thanks to the effort of every Victorian who has been vaccinated, our live music venues across Victoria are now fully open and able to trade with no capacity restrictions.

To kick-start live music across the state I was delighted to announce the $20 million Live Music Restart package which included $8 million for Victoria’s live music venues as well as support for events and festivals across the state.  This additional funding will assist venues and event organisers to bring back live music to the venues Victorian audiences love.

These recent announcements are in addition to more than $25 million in dedicated COVID-19 support over 2020 and 2021, including for the Victorian Live Music Venues Program, the Victorian Music Industry Recovery Program and the Regional and Outer-Suburban Live Music Fund which will deliver live music events across the state this year and next.

Many music businesses, including live music venues, have also benefited from a range of more general business assistance programs, such as the recent Live Performance Support Package, the waiving of payroll tax and liquor licence fees, the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, Business Support Fund, Business Costs Assistance Program and Licensed Hospitality Venue Program. Artists and other music businesses have also been eligible to apply to the Sustaining Creative Workers and Music Works programs.

The Andrews Labor government is investing in our live music industry, a rich source of jobs for Victorian creative workers and which brings joy to the millions who participate as audiences each year.

The Hon. Danny Pearson MP 

Minister for Creative Industries