John Graham promoted to NSW shadow minister of music and night time economy

John Graham, NSW upper house MP and longtime live music activist, has been promoted to the new portfolio of music and the night time economy.

State Labor leader Michael Daley made the shuffle, along with others, before the NSW election next year.

Graham also takes over minister Daley’s former portfolio of gaming and racing.

This is the first time in Australia – and in most western countries – where music has been assigned as a separate portfolio.

Normally it’s been part of the arts department.

John Graham told TMN this morning, that his first priority in his new role would be “dealing with the venue crisis in NSW.

“That’s the key finding of the music inquiry, alongside the massive potential of the music industry in NSW.

But it is bad, and it’s getting worse with the news overnight that we’re losing World Bar, which has been important for live music.

“This just confirms  things are getting worse.”

The minister spoke to TMN on a variety of subjects, including the findings of the NSW parliamentary inquiry into the state’s music economy (an inquiry which he spearheaded), the impact of the Labour Loves Live Music initiative that he founded, NSW’s low investment in music, and plans for live music in regional NSW.

The full interview will run in TMN tomorrow.

Meantime, the live industry has received news of his appointment enthusiastically.

“He goes to gigs, he knows the venue owners and he knows the musicians,” said one Sydney venue owner.

“ I find him an extraordinary politician.”

John Wardle, general manager of the Live Music Office told TMN,  “From a music industry perspective, the announcement of a new portfolio for music and the night time economy, partnered with gaming and racing, tourism and major events in the shadow cabinet is welcome news.

“This direction is very much in line with the associated recommendations from the recent NSW parliamentary inquiry into the music and arts economy, and it’s important to note that the four findings and 60 recommendations of which this is one, were to a great degree endorsed by committee representatives across the political spectrum, comprising the major parties and the crossbench.

“The Live Music Office both provided written submissions and gave evidence with supporting arguments to the rationale why having an executive position with this sort of capacity is in our view the right approach to address a series of state issues that came to light in the inquiry, including overlap in regulatory functions, outdated or unworkable conditions on venues, as well as funding structures and programs for contemporary music.

“There’s a role also for tourism and major events to play in the development on the music industry in NSW, and we’ve recently seen changes made in WA with the tourism department given important input through the revised liquor licensing public interest test to bring more balance to licensing decisions where the cultural development of the state can be recognised.”