Ellen Sandel April 24, 2024
Whether you love sticky carpets and getting sweaty in a room full of guests, or sipping good wine and listening to up-and-coming singer-songwriters, Victoria is very lucky to have so many great live music venues. .
But now many local pubs, bars and local stages are under threat.
Rising rents and living costs are also having an impact. But the exorbitant increase in public liability insurance has been the biggest blow. Some venues are paying more than $100,000 a year, and some have endured insurance premium increases of as much as 300% in the past year alone.
These insurance premium increases have forced some venues to close permanently, such as the popular Bendigo Hotel in Collingwood.
This is the arrangement. The Labor state government may actually be able to save the live music scene by offering cheaper insurance through the government's public insurer, the Victorian Management Insurance Agency (VMIA).
When VMIA covered event cancellations, they've done it before during coronavirus, and they've done it with the construction industry, so we're confident they'll do it again. I know you can. All you need is a letter from the Minister.
But Labor has chosen not to step in with support, instead allowing live music venues across Melbourne to slowly disappear.
Our live music venues are more than just stages and dance venues. These are community gathering spaces and vital launching pads for up-and-coming artists and culture. They make Melbourne uniquely Melbourne.
As we head into May's state budget, the Greens and I are calling on the government to intervene and save live music in Victoria. You can help by signing the petition at ellensandell.com/issue/save-live-music.
We must protect our local live music venues and the artists they support.
If there is anything we can do to help, please feel free to contact us. •
