Music Industry, Politicians Meet at Queensland’s Parliament House for Pre-Olympics Health Check

As live venues across Queensland check for damage, music industry leaders gathered Wednesday, April 2nd for a debrief with the state’s decision-makers for what has become an annual mission.

Launched in 2022, the Parliamentary Friends of the Music Industry is an exercise in music diplomacy, a relaxed meeting of politicians with industry professionals and artists for the sharing of ideas – and concerns – as the clock ticks on the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Underscoring the cost-of-living crisis and the economic turbulence hitting punters’ cashflow, QMusic president Viv Mellish remarked that the live music industry across the state needed urgent help.

“We need to take direct action to support small businesses that make up the regional music industries,” she remarked from the lectern. “Our goal for regional music, which is something we’re really focusing on, is to share the benefits with all of Queensland. Starting with the proposal to establish a Queensland regional music office in Townsville.”

She continued, “as we prepare for Brisbane 2032, we really need to support emerging musicians to grow their craft….so that they can establish themselves in their home state.”

Two established homegrown artists made their presences felt on the night — Troy and Jem Cassar-Daley. Winners at last week’s Queensland Music Award, the father-and-daughter duo performed a four-song showcase at Parliament House, set against the backdrop of the Speakers Green.

“We have 93 seats in this state; every one of us can go out and support live music in our own areas. That’s why we’re here,” remarked Shane King MP, the Labor member for Kurwongbah, and co-chair of the event. “All the MPs here, get out in the communities and support live music.”

Guests included Millie Millgate, director, Music Australia; Olly Arkins, managing director of the Australian Festival Association (AFA); Hutchinsons Builders chairman and QMusic patron Scott Hutchinson; Adam Baillie, member for Townsville; and John “JC” Collins, the state’s first night czar.

Collins, the founding Powderfinger bass player, venues operator and QMusic VP was appointed nighttime commissioner last year with the task of liaising with music businesses, live venues and more across Queensland.

Co-chair Sam O’Connor MP, the Liberal National Party member for Bonney, gave an update on Collins’ work, noting he was doing a “fantastic job and is coming up with the state’s first nightlife economy strategy, that will be published by the end of the year.”

Just prior to the function, the nightlife economy expert panel met for just the second time, explained O’Connor, a body made up of industry leaders from across the state “who are determined to help JC get that plan right, which we know will be vital in the lead up to the 2032 Games.”

Queensland’s music scene has capturing more headlines than usual, thanks to the government’s long-awaited proposal to build new venues for the Games, and for the controversy that spilled after the QMAs. There were no such dramas at Parliament House on Wednesday night, and Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner, who in a memo last week suggested “extremists” had hijacked the QMAs, did not attend.

“Music is a great connector,” explained O’Connor on Wednesday evening, “and this is a reminder of the talent that we have in this state and that support for your sector truly transcends party lines. It’s not a political thing. All members of this House back you and we want you to succeed, particularly in the leadup to the Games.”

The 2025 Parliamentary Friends of the Music Industry event was the such first since the LNP’s David Crisafulli swept into power last October, ending a nine-year Labor reign.

O’Connor flagged his party’s commitment to live music, by pointing to state minister for education and the arts John-Paul Langbroek recent pledge for $300,000-plus in funding to share between 13 live music venues across the state.

“Our government,” he enthused, “is serious about supporting the nighttime economy.”