Musicians deliver petition to Parliament

Today (April 7th, 2010) nine well-known Victorian musicians presented a petition to State Government on the steps of Parliament calling on Government to remove the link between live music and 'high risk' conditions on liquor licenses for live music venues. The petitions were signed by an impressive 22,000 people. Gathered at the base of the steps in 'don't kill live music' t-shirts, sunglasses reflecting the glare of a humid autumn day, the musicians and SLAM organisers took interviews and prepared the petitions for the official handing over to Government. Jon Von Goes gave an impassioned speech demanding direct action from Brumby to redress the situation before Melbourne loses the vibrant live culture that helps define it. He also raised a valid point about how important our votes are to his tenure as State Premier. Was Brumby listening? Were the public? We'll find out. Greens MP Sue Pennicuik (pictured below) will be taking the petition to a parliament sitting next week. In the meantime share your stories, speak out about the impact the high-risk conditions are having on the small venues you love going to and on the bands you know who are still losing gigs. Comment below and keep informed by checking out the following websites S.L.A.M. and Music Victoria.

You can find a full report on the event and surrounding issues (including audio and photos) on Tripple J's Hack Site. There is also a great write-up in todays Age and an article on online music mag Mess and Noise. For the Green MP's Victoria video on the event click here.

H. Thomas

Photos by Nicholas Steiner

Hi all, please note the following:

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S.L.A.M / Fair Go 4 Live Music / Music Victoria

Over 20,000 Victorians demand that ‘high-risk’ conditions be de-linked from live music.

PETITION DELIVER WEDNESDAY APRIL 7TH 2010
12.30pm Parliament House, Melbourne

Since the closure of The Tote Hotel in mid-January, the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition has been collecting signatures from music lovers all around Victoria, calling on the State Government to overturn the link between live music and ‘high risk’ conditions on liquor licenses for live music venues.

Melbourne’s musicians and music lovers marched through the city streets for the SLAM Rally on February 23rd and it’s time to return to the steps of Parliament with the delivery of the petition to the Legislative Council on Wednesday April 7th 2010 by various decades of well-known Victorian musicians.

The Victorian musicians who will be presenting the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition to Parliament are: 1930s - Harold Frith, 1940s - Mike Rudd, 1940s - Ross Wilson, 1960s - Jon Von Goes, 1970s – Kram, 1960s - Clare Bowditch, 1970s - Angie Hart, 1980s - Dan Sultan and 1980s - Evelyn Morris

More musicians to be confirmed.

Despite the signing of the Live Music Accord with the State Government, the link between live music and ‘high risk’ still exists. More disturbingly, no venues have had their high risk conditions removed since the signing of the Accord. The music industry and the public want to see real action on this issue. We want action, not just Accords. The threat to Victoria’s vibrant live music culture remains in place. The 22,000 signatures attest to the public support of live music.

SLAM, FG4LM and Music Victoria will redouble their efforts to bring this issue to the attention of the public.

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Harold Frith (drummer from early rock n'roll band the 'Thunderbirds' - now drummer for 'The Brunswick Blues Shooters') is one of the musicans presenting the petition to government. Stay tuned for photos/footage (will post around the 8th of April).

H