Temple and music plans get ALP backing

AN election commitment to the Ballarat Indian Association for significant capital works at the site of the organisation’s cultural centre in Ross Creek has underscored local Labor’s final seven days on the election trail.

A total of $900,000 would be set aside for the project was reviled last week by Labor candidate for Ripon, Martha Haylett.

“This is such an exciting project, meaning a new temple, playground, kitchen and more is on the way for this amazing community group,” she said.

“Only Labor will deliver for the Indian community in Ballarat’s West – because we value their contribution to our community.”

Ms Haylett was joined at the event, held at the site of the planned cultural centre by Deputy-Premier Jacinta Allan.

Despite a similar commitment from the Opposition Coalition to the tune of $875,000 a few weeks ago, Ms Allen went on the attack.

“Matthew Guy’s Liberals have a history of creating division in multicultural communities and stigmatising them for political gain,” she said

“They can’t be trusted to support diversity here in Victoria.”

Outside of the Ballarat Indian Association pledge, the ALP focused on putting a local spin on statewide commitments in the final days of the campaign.

On Monday, Member for Buninyong, and candidate for Eureka, Michaela Settle, was at The Eastern backing in a pledge to support live music with the aim of getting bands back on the road and touring.

“We’ll invest $34 million in the music industry, but what’s really important, and what we’re emphasising, is that 25 per cent of that will go into regional Victoria,” she said.

“There’s a gig fund for 10,000 gigs over the next four years, and bands will get roughly up to $1000 each gig, and 25 per cent of those will be in regional Victoria.

“The Major Events Fund with grants up to $50,000 will benefit big festivals, like Meredith, and we’re only a couple of weeks away from that being back.

“We know how incredibly important that is, not just to music lovers, but to the whole area. I know the township of Meredith absolutely rely on the income from that festival, so to be able to support those coming back is fantastic.”

Owner of The Eastern Matt Stone said this kind of gig funding would benefit performers and venues.

“If the government can pay the artists, then we can keep some of the door money, which will help us,” he said.

Ms Settle said there’s also funding pledged for the Always Live series, and for a program to send professional musicians into secondary schools as song writing mentors.

-WITH EDWINA WILLIAMS