UPPER House MP David O’Brien broke his rule about never mixing music with politics when he launched the Coalition’s live music policy in Warrnambool yesterday.
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An occasional bass player with the Russ Goodear Band, Mr O’Brien gave a brief promotion for the policy during a break in his performance with the band at the Hotel Warrnambool.
The Nationals Member for Western Victoria has been playing in bands since he was 14, principally ska band Loin Groin, and still does the occasional gig as “a good release” from the pressures of the political arena.
He said a Coalition government would commit $1 million to Music Victoria to reinvigorate the regional live music circuit.
Mr O’Brien said Music Victoria had identified the regional music scene as “the most underdeveloped part of the industry”.
“We intend to change that,” Mr O’Brien said.
Music Victoria will use the $1 million to set up an office to strengthen networks between music festivals and gigs in regional hotels and other live music venues to re-establish recognised regional touring circuits that would become an accepted route for touring acts.
The process will begin with a Regional Live Music Summit.
The summit will be organised through the Coalition government’s Live Music Roundtable.
This follows Premier Denis Napthine’s commitment of $50,000, if the Coalition is re-elected, to the Aus Festival Warrnambool on October 30 next year that will focus on Australian music.
Mr O’Brien said a re-elected Coalition government would also provide an additional $400,000 over four years to support Music Victoria’s operations.
It was also supporting the live music industry by relaxing noise regulations that had almost forced live music out of existence.
He said part of that reform was the introduction of the ‘agent of change’ principle that requires developers constructing buildings next to an existing live music venue to insulate the building against loud noise.