Gabrielle talks in Parliament about why we need to save Melbourne’s live music venues.
Transcript: I do not want to put anyone to sleep, but we need to talk about insurance. Live music venues are under threat. Ruthless insurance companies have hiked up their costs and venues are shutting under the strain. Whole Lotta Love in Brunswick had to close its doors after its insurance went from $3000 to $30,000 a year. The Bendi, Bar Oussou and Ferdydurke have all called last drinks. These venues are not just businesses, they are the lifeblood of our communities, they are the incubators of our culture and they are the places where emerging musicians create the music of tomorrow. AC/DC, Paul Kelly and Spiderbait all cut their teeth in small Melbourne venues. Cash Savage, Courtney Barnett and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard all followed. There will be no next generation of musicians if the state government does not step in now.
In just a few weeks 2500 Victorians have called on the state government to step in and provide affordable insurance through the public insurer. It is not sexy like a cash grant, but it is significant and it does not cost much. The state government could do this next week in the state budget. The public insurer stepped in during COVID to save venues, and they can do it again. All it takes is a letter from the Assistant Treasurer. Please step in and save live music before more venues shut their doors.
