- Published:
- Tuesday 7 May 2024
Victoria’s creative industries, major events, sporting calendar and live music scene are world class, attracting millions of visitors, creating thousands of jobs and boosting our state’s economy.
It doesn’t happen by chance – that’s why the Allan Labor Government is investing more than $318.6 million in the Victorian Budget2024/25 to maintain our reputation as Australia’s home of sport and entertainment.
We're supporting Victoria's world-leading cultural institutions with a $128.4 million package – all while continuing to transform our Arts Precincts through the $1.7 billion investment in the Melbourne Arts Transformation Project.
We’re also backing our iconic sporting centres – from Kardinia Park to Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre, our State Netball and Hockey Centre and the Victorian Institute of Sport – with $90.4 million so they can continue serving hundreds of thousands of Victorians each year.
This investment also prepares for the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre’s opening in 2026 – a huge new events space bringing conferences, entertainment and live music to the city.
Sporting clubs are the lifeblood of our communities. It’s why we’re investing $17.5 million to back more local clubs, players and fans – improving the ovals, pavilions, courts and changerooms that build future sporting stars.
This includes the continuation of our Local Sports Infrastructure Fund, alongside basketball hubs in seven locations across Victoria, and the popular Country Football and Netball Program – a longstanding partnership between the AFL, AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria to get more Victorians involved across the state.
We know that with cost-of-living pressures, our Get Active Kids Vouchers have made it easier for families to keep their kids playing the sports they love. That’s why we’re investing $6 million to help more families get their kids involved in local sport – with vouchers supporting kids’ participation, equipment and uniforms for sport.
Victoria’s major events are second to none – in 2023 Victoria had a record high of $37.8 billion in tourism spending, delivering massive boosts to local businesses and local jobs.
We continue to secure the biggest and best major events and this year’s calendar is no exception – featuring the 2024 Australian Open, the Matildas Olympic Qualifier, Yayoi Kusama and NRL State of Origin.
This Budget will invest $32.5 million to support Visit Victoria to continue attracting visitors to our state – supporting thousands of Victorians’ jobs.
We’re also investing $9.4 million, which includes support to continue hosting business events and driving bigger business communities to our state.
Across the state, $3.3 million will ensure our Visitor Economy Partnerships can continue to promote our great regional communities, attracting more tourists and more tourism dollars.
Victoria is the cultural capital of Australia, thanks to our vibrant and unique creative events and festivals. We know how proud Victorians are of our creative scene, but we also know it’s not an easy time for festivals at the moment – so we’ll invest $6.5 million to support our homegrown events and keep them going from strength to strength.
We are the centre of Australia’s games and screen industry. This Budget cements that reputation, with $5 million to deliver the Victorian Screen Rebate – attracting games, visual effects, film and television production projects to Victoria.
Local gaming projects, TV and movie production employ thousands of Victorians – creating jobs and providing our creatives incredible opportunities in their own backyard.
Victorian workers and creative organisations benefit when Australia’s performing arts sectors succeeds. That’s why we’re making our fair contribution, with a $4.5 million investment in the National Performing Arts Partnership Framework.
We’ll continue to support Victoria’s music industry artists through $1 million for the Music Works program – helping music artists to develop their craft – all while rolling out our $10 million live music support package.
Victoria’s great outdoors is full of recreational activities for people to enjoy, but it must be done safely, sustainably and responsibly.
We promised to make sure recreational duck and quail hunting can continue, and an investment of $11.6 million includes support for the Game Management Authority to make sure hunters are complying with regulations and to support the promised hunting regulation review and reform.
By supporting our iconic cultural institutions, our sporting icons and our world-famous events and creative calendar, this Budget is boosting our visitor economy – and backing Victorian jobs.
This is a Budget that invests in the creativity, culture and local clubs that Victorian families enjoy – because this is a Budget that’s helping families.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Creative Industries Colin Brooks
“We are Australia’s cultural capital. Our creative industries generate billions for our economy, employ more than 320,000 Victorians and gives every Victorian something to be proud of.”
“We’re backing our nation-leading creative institutions, our extraordinary calendar of festivals and vibrant live music, screen and digital games sectors.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events and Minister for Outdoor Recreation Steve Dimopoulos
“Local tourism is the lifeblood of communities right across the state – this Budget builds on our record investments to make Victoria a better place to live, work and visit.”
“Whether it’s taking in one of our epic major events or a weekend away with friends, our state has so much to offer – and we’re making sure everyone knows it.”
Quote attributable to Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence
“Victorians live and breathe sport. We’re making sure clubs of all sizes and levels have what they need to succeed and get everyone in their community involved.”