The impending Face The Music conference is throwing its hat into the political arena with the introduction of Vote For Me! State Election: The Parties Bring It, a new political panel in the lead-up to the Victoria state election featuring members of five parties contesting the ballot.
With the state going to the polls in a matter of weeks, and the live music industry raking in somewhere in the vicinity of $1 billion annually, average punters want to know how the major parties have supported live music in the past, and how they plan to do so in the future.
Among the representatives (assuming all goes well with registration) will be Kris Schroeder of The Basics Rock'n'Roll Party (what advantage?), the Hon Edward O'Donohue (Minister for Liquor and Gaming Regulation, Liberal Party), ALP shadow Arts Minister Martin Foley MP, the Victorian Greens' Sue Pennicuik MLC, and the leader of the Australian Sex Party, Fiona Patten. The session will be moderated by Fairfax Media political correspondent Richard Willingham.
Face The Music descends on the Arts Centre, Melbourne, on November 14-15. See the event's website for more details.
