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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-06-01 Daily Xml
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Live Music Sector

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER (Morialta—Deputy Leader of the Opposition) (14:54): My question is to the Minister for Arts. Can the minister advise how much the government has spent on its live music election promises? Will the government be spending any unspent funds in live music or returning the money to Treasury? With your leave, sir, and that of the house, I will explain.

Leave granted.

The Hon. J.A.W. GARDNER: When justifying cuts to other parts of the arts portfolio the minister has repeatedly cited the Labor election commitment of $10 million to live music, amongst other commitments. But this funding includes $5 million to a fund in relation to COVID cancellations that has been little used, and $2 million on an e-voucher scheme that the opposition has been advised has been undersubscribed.

The Hon. A. MICHAELS (Enfield—Minister for Small and Family Business, Minister for Consumer and Business Affairs, Minister for Arts) (14:54): I thank the member for his question. Yes, it was a $10 million election commitment comprised of a range of commitments particularly around venue improvement grants, and that was fully subscribed; certain event grants to assist music festivals, etc., and that has all been spent; there was $5 million for the COVID cancellation fund, and that is sitting there, as I understand it, in the event that there is a government-imposed shutdown, effectively. The commitment was there; it was clear in the election commitment, and we are sticking to that election commitment.

In terms of the e-vouchers, they are going through round by round to make sure that they are spent at the venues, to engage live music in those venues, and to pay those musicians. That has been a huge success. A significant amount of money—I don't have the figure with me right now but I can get that figure to you—has gone out the door, and we continue with our rounds to make sure those musicians are supported to get through what was a really—

An honourable member interjecting:

The Hon. A. MICHAELS: Yes, the minister tells me, the great mental health support program I think was half a million dollars, in terms of providing support. Getting through that COVID and supporting live music to get back on its feet is a really important focus for the arts portfolio. Going into the last election, these commitments were made by the government and these commitments have been executed. It is really good to see live music getting back on its feet and getting through that COVID period, and that is really important for us.

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