Member for Werribee Tim Pallas has today welcomed Victoria’s first Creative Industries strategy; Creative state.

Victoria has confirmed its status as Australia’s creative leader, with an ambitious new plan from the Andrews Labor Government that will create jobs, develop local talent and grow the state’s $23 billion creative and cultural economy.

The upcoming 2016/2017 Victorian Budget will provide $152 million to deliver a strong program of support to the creative and cultural sector.

The centrepiece of the investment will be the Andrews Labor Government’s Creative Industries strategy; Creative State.

Creative State is a $115 million investment to develop and keep the best creative talent across film and television, digital games, design, fashion, music and the performing and visual arts, and enable Victorians to undertake ambitious, internationally recognised work.

The strategy provides comprehensive support to key industry sectors including $16.4m to strengthen Victoria’s design industry, the state’s fastest growing creative sector; and $14.2m for the screen industry to attract more opportunities to Victoria and support Melbourne International Film Festival, one of the world’s best consumer film festivals.

In addition, the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund will provide $20 million to support a creative hub in the Latrobe Valley and a gallery in Shepparton.

Other highlights in the $152 million package include:

• $33.7 million will be provided to increase participation and access, build international engagement, grow and nurture creative excellence and strengthen career pathways
• $7 million to support a cultural hub for Bendigo
• $23 million to expand and upgrade the state’s cultural collections storage, including a new facility in Ballarat
• $50 million boost for the State Library of Victoria, Arts Centre Melbourne and Melbourne Recital Centre.

Creative State will roll out from July 2016, with key initiatives overseen by the Creative State Advisory Board, chaired by the Minister for Creative Industries Martin Foley.

Quotes attributable to Member for Werribee, Tim Pallas

“Victoria has the best of everything – but we can’t take it for granted. The Creative State will create jobs, develop local talent and grow our creative industries.”

“This is an investment that will deliver economic, social and cultural benefits for all Victorians whether they work in, or enjoy our creative industries.”

“Creative State lays out our plan for making Victoria a global creative centre and the place of choice for people embarking on creative careers.”