Music Victoria Calls for Permanent Music Trust Ahead of State Election

More than 150 Victorian music industry figures have gathered in Melbourne to call for greater long-term investment in the sector ahead of November’s state election.

Artists and industry representatives including Briggs, Cash Savage, Nina Las Vegas, Public Figures, Robert Baxter, and Jaddan Comerford attended the Victorian Music Assembly at Melbourne Town Hall today (August 13th), where Music Victoria launched its new ‘Vote Victorian Music’ election platform.

At the centre of the campaign is a proposal for a permanent Victorian Music Trust, with Music Victoria calling on every party contesting the 2026 Victorian State Election to commit to establishing the fund during the next term of government. 

Under the proposal, the independently governed and legislatively protected trust would be funded through a contribution from major live music ticket sales, with the money reinvested into Victorian artists, venues, workers and the broader grassroots music sector.

Grassroots venues, smaller operators, low-cost events and all-ages shows would be exempt from contributing and would instead be among those eligible to benefit from the fund.

Music Victoria CEO Fiona Duncan said the model would give the state's music industry a more permanent funding foundation, rather than relying on short-term programs. “Victoria has one of the strongest and most distinctive music industries in the world, but we are relying on short-term programs to support an industry that needs long-term confidence and investment,” she explained.

“A Victorian Music Trust would create a permanent foundation to rebuild the grassroots, support sustainable careers, protect venues and invest in the next generation of Victorian music. It would allow us to invest not only in the challenges facing music today, but in the opportunities ahead in recording, rights, screen, games, technology, export and new audiences.”

The proposal comes amid continued concern about the health of Victoria's live music ecosystem. According to figures cited by Music Victoria, the state's live music industry generated $483.9 million in 2023 and represented 31 per cent of Australia's live performance revenue and attendance.

However, the organisation says the number of Victorian venues presenting live music each week has fallen by 19.4 per cent since 2019. Music Victoria also claims Victoria currently invests $0.48 per person in contemporary music, compared with $3.10 in New South Wales and $1.46 in South Australia. 

“Victoria does not need to create a music industry,” Duncan said. “It needs to stop taking its success for granted and build the permanent foundation that allows it to thrive for decades to come.”

Beyond establishing the trust, the ‘Vote Victorian Music’ platform is built around four priorities - investing in permanent funding, supporting sustainable music careers, strengthening venues and other music infrastructure, and growing audiences, businesses and Victoria's international reputation.

Music Victoria said it will now seek a formal response from every political party contesting the November election.

Supporters can pledged to the campaign here.