Queensland Election 2024: Major Parties Weigh In On Music Policies

As the Queensland state election rapidly approaches – taking place this Saturday, 26 October – all three major parties have weighed in on what they’ll offer the music industry. QMusic, the state’s music industry development association, has also shared a statement.

Queensland’s current government, Labor, the opposition, the LNP, and the Greens have all pledged support to the music industry.

In a statement, Queensland’s Deputy Premier, Cameron Dick, said that under a re-elected Steven Miles government, Labor has committed to meeting with QMusic to discuss funding requests and consider funding over the 2025-26 Budget.

Queensland Labor has also agreed to continue working collaboratively with QMusic to boost the state’s music industry.

“The Miles Labor Government has been proud to support Queensland’s vibrant live music industry, recognising the importance of live music venues, musicians, artists and arts workers,” the statement continued.

“Premier Steven Miles has already delivered a $2 million funding package to the Woodford Folk Festival, which will help future-proof the event and support hundreds of jobs.”

Adding that the Labor government appointed Powderfinger’s John “JC” Collins as the state’s first-ever Night Life Economy Commissioner, Dick wrote that Miles’ Labor Government is focused on supporting “all aspects” of the music industry in Queensland, including peak bodies like QMusic, music organisations, festivals, and more.

The pledge continued, “We’re proud to be delivering $1.8 million in operational funding over four years (2022-25) to QMusic as the peak body for the industry and $60,000 annually towards four music awards administered by QMusic.

“Our Labor Government was also proud to deliver an uplift of an additional $3.64 million over four years to support the delivery of BIGSOUND and the First Nations Goolwal Goolwal initiative at BIGSOUND.

“Our support for the Live Music Industry also extends to funding through arts-owned companies like Major Brisbane Festivals and Queensland Music Festival, music organisations including Camerata, Australian Festival of Chamber Music and Topology, and major performing arts companies including Queensland Symphony Orchestra who program, commission, and showcase the work of musicians.”

Taking a swipe at the Queensland LNP, led by David Crisafulli, Labor claims that the opposition has “outlined no vision” other than cutting projects, jobs and essential services.

“Mr Crisafulli is a risk to Queensland, and he will cut what matters to Queenslanders, just like the LNP did last time,” Dick said. “The LNP’s policy pamphlet, ‘The Right Priorities for Queensland’s Future,’ has no mention of Queensland’s arts and cultural sector at all.”

The statement added that Labor’s “record funding” to support the arts in Queensland is “at risk” under the LNP.

“The LNP’s last term in government was devastating to the arts and cultural sector in Queensland,” the statement reads. “This included cutting the Queensland Literary Awards before proceeding to cut even more funding from the arts sector. This resulted in the defunding of many organisations. 

“Only a Miles Labor Government will continue to invest in Queensland’s artists, arts companies and arts workers.”

An LNP spokeswoman acknowledged the “vibrant” Queensland music scene, adding that it’s “critical” for the industry to thrive. “The LNP is committed to reinvigorating our live-gig economy with support for businesses and by restoring safety,” the spokeswoman said.

According to the LNP, the state’s ability to offer “safe, accessible live music propositions” has been “stripped away” under years of the Labor government, describing the Palaszczuk/Miles governments as “failed” and alleging that the party “turned its back” on Queensland’s music economy. 

“The clear message from Queensland businesses, Councils, venues, restaurants, residents and musicians is they want a plan to breathe life back into our music industry and night-time economy,” the statement continued.

“Labor is too busy marching to the beat of their own chaos and crisis to notice fewer police and weak youth crime laws have turned down the volume on Queensland’s gigs.”

The LNP spokeswoman stated that the LNP government will “lead the way” with “dedicated” portfolios to support CBD Activation and vowed to continue to engage with QMusic to build regional tourism and community engagement. 

“We’re committed to a thriving Queensland music industry, and only voting 1 LNP on Saturday will guarantee Queenslanders who love great music the Fresh Start they deserve.”

Amy McMahon, Greens Member for South Brisbane, said the current economic and cultural landscape in Queensland presents challenges to ensuring the success of the state’s music scene, “threatening the survival of a vibrant cultural scene.”

“If we want to see music continue to contribute to the richness of our lives and the public good, we must support it to do so,” McMahon said.

Adding that she “wholeheartedly” supports QMusic’s request for funding and initiatives to protect the industry’s success, McMahon said: “The Queensland Greens are committed to ensuring music and the arts receive the support they need, not just to exist, but to thrive, including a minimum $35 million in funding support over four years.”

The Greens pledge support in developing a Queensland music blueprint, event and venue support, setting targets for commissioning homegrown talent, QMusic’s Youth In Music Initiative, QMusic’s Mentally Healthy Industry (partnered with Support Act), the development of a First Nations music plan, supporting Indigenous industry initiatives, a Queensland regional music office in Townsville, the Queensland Regional Music Fund and a Regional Music Infrastructure Initiative, and making the Waltons Store building in Brisbane the new home for Queensland’s Music, Videogaming and Screen industries.

“When you consider, for example, that the current state government has contributed $1.1 billion in public funds to the greyhound and horse racing industry since 2015 and readily provided financial concessions and a secret 99-year lease of riverfront land to Star Casino, it is clear that the lack of support to the arts is not the result of scarce resources,” McMahon said.

“Instead, this is a political choice by Labor to deprioritise the arts and fund cultural and public life according to the interests of their big donors, not ordinary people. There is nothing in the LNP’s history to suggest they will do any better.”

McMahon stated that the Queensland Greens would “continue to fight” for ordinary people who want to see “extraordinary wealth” benefit everyone, not only the wealthy few.

The statement concluded, “By making big corporations and billionaires pay their fair share, we can make sure Queenslanders have access to the things they need to live a good life — not just in our schools and hospitals, but in our parks, at our local footy clubs, and our local venues enjoying home-grown musical talent.”

QMusic also shared a statement regarding the upcoming election.

“QMusic has been in ongoing discussions with our key political parties in the lead-up to the October 26 election about how deeply the Queensland music industry and nighttime economy have been struggling due to cost-of-living pressures,” the statement reads.

“As an industry that relies on disposable income, we have been devastated by inflationary pressures, and we need to ensure that our state's music sector survives this challenge.”

QMusic made its commitments clear by first mentioning the last three state-wide elections that have committed “significant” amounts to protecting the music industry—South Australia committing $10 million, Victoria $14 million (plus a further $20 million to ALWAYS LIVE), and New South Wales pledging an annual $18.5 million. 

“QMusic pitched $8.75m a year - or $35m over four years - targeted to deliver a mix of regional sector development, professional development programs for artists and industry, export initiatives, special event support and grants to secure our state's venues, festivals, artists and the music businesses,” the statement continued.

Acknowledging the Queensland Greens, who gave their written commitment to meeting QMusic’s request, QMusic also welcomed the responses from Labor and the LNP. 

No matter the result this weekend, QMusic stated that it looks forward to working with the elected government to “build a long-term plan for Queensland’s music industry—especially the thousands of small businesses that it includes.”

Bolding the next part of their statement, QMusic said: “Without a proactive partnership, Queensland risks falling behind every other State when it comes to music industry development and export potential.” 

The statement concluded, “There are no doubt many issues that voters are weighing up at this election — but we hope that the survival and success of our music industry is one of them.”