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<title>Music Doesn&#x27;t Make You Violent</title><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/index.html</link><description>latest posts</description><dc:language>en</dc:language><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><dc:rights>Copyright 2010 Robin Birch</dc:rights><dc:date>2010-10-06T17:55:40+11:00</dc:date><admin:generatorAgent rdf:resource="http://www.realmacsoftware.com/" />
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<lastBuildDate>Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:52:21 +1100</lastBuildDate><item><title>Music Doesn&#x27;t Make Us Violent Anymore&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Action</category><dc:date>2010-10-06T17:55:40+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/not-violent-anymore.php#unique-entry-id-18</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/not-violent-anymore.php#unique-entry-id-18</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />Success! Today an agreement was signed by both the Victorian State Government and music representatives, that will see the end of live music being linked to violence in liquor licence conditions.<br /><br />MANY THANKS to the hardworking, persistent and talented team from FairGo4LiveMusic, S.L.A.M. and Music Victoria (in no particular order) - your passion and determination has made this state a better place, in a very real way.<br /><br />Read all about it here:<br /><a href="http://www.messandnoise.com/news/4085467 " rel="external">Breaking News: Live Music Proxy Removed</a> mess+noise<br /><a href="http://www.themusicnetwork.com/music-news/industry/2010/10/06/live-music-groups-celebrate-historic-agreement-with-victorian-government" rel="external">Live music groups celebrate "historic" agreement with Victorian Government</a> The Music network<br /><a href="http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/news/featured/2010/10/its-official-live-music-does-not-cause-violence.htm" rel="external">IT&rsquo;S OFFICIAL: &ldquo;LIVE MUSIC DOES NOT CAUSE VIOLENCE&rdquo;</a> - TONE DEAF<br /><a href="http://www.slamrally.org/slam-news/" rel="external">A Thank You from Helen Marcou, SLAM&hellip;</a><br /><a href="http://www.slamrally.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Live_Music_Agreement_5-10-1.pdf" rel="external">The Agreement (pdf)</a> on SLAM website<br /><br />and here's the PRESS RELEASE from<br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">S.L.A.M / FairGo4LiveMusic / Music Victoria</span><br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">It&rsquo;s official: &ldquo;Live music does not cause violence&rdquo;</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /><br />We are pleased to announce that after eight months of intense negotiation SLAM, Fair Go 4 Live Music and Music Victoria have reached an agreement with the Victorian State Government.<br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">It&rsquo;s official: &ldquo;Live music does not cause violence&rdquo;. The inappropriate link between live music and alcohol- fuelled violence is dead! </span><span style="color:#000080;">&ldquo;The Government has acted to remove the link between live music performance at licensed premises and crowd controller licence conditions&rdquo; is an extract from the Live Music Agreement signed today by Patrick Donovan (Music Victoria), Quincy McLean (SLAM), Jon Perring (FG4LM), Tony Robinson Minister for Consumer Affairs & Mark Brennan Director of Liquor Licensing.<br /><br />"</span><span style="color:#000080;"><em>The SLAM Rally marked a sea-change for the arts in Australia. It was the largest cultural protest in Australian history. For the first time, cultural policy became an election issue</em></span><span style="color:#000080;">." </span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">Ben Eltham, AICV conference 2010</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /><br />For the 20,000 lovers of live music who marched onto Parliament House on February 23rd 2010 and all the other supporters since, your voice has been heard. Today is an historic day. February 23rd was about calling for changes; today an agreement has been reached.<br /><br />&ldquo;</span><span style="color:#000080;"><em>This will create a business environment where venues can put live music on, even take risks on edgy genres. This is really important for the live music scene and that it&rsquo;s treated fairly by regulators.</em></span><span style="color:#000080;">&rdquo; </span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">Jon Perring (FG4LM)</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /><br /></span><span style="color:#000080;"><em>&ldquo;The importance that the music of Victoria has to its community, industry, economy and its musicians has been officially recognised. The threat to the viability of our small venues has been stopped and our culture can be safeguarded. We believe all policy should be assessed by its impact on culture because through culture we truly live. Our cultural time is our community time; it is our celebration, our laughter and our mourning. Music is everywhere, let&rsquo;s keep it that way.&rdquo;</em></span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /></span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">Quincy McLean (SLAM)</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /><br />We would like to thank the Victorian State Government for hearing the voice of their community and working to a resolution with the Live Music Agreement, and we look forward to the active implementation of this agreement. Both the Liberal Party and Greens have policy relating to liquor licensing and Live Music befitting music&rsquo;s universal cultural importance, for which we thank them.<br /><br />Victoria&rsquo;s Live Music community is now being recognised at a State and Local level with councils such as City of Yarra and City of Melbourne forming their Live Music Strategies. Our peak body, Music Victoria, has been established as an advocate for all sectors of the music community.<br /><br />&ldquo;</span><span style="color:#000080;"><em>This decision recognises the wonderful contribution from Victoria&rsquo;s passionate and thriving music community and cements our reputation as one of the live music capitals of the world. We thank those who made it happen and look forward to seeing the industry flourish in this new nurturing environment.</em></span><span style="color:#000080;">&rdquo; </span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">Patrick Donovan, CEO Music Victoria</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br /><br />Live Music is now on the political agenda and should be nurtured and protected into the future. Thank you to everyone who made this a possibility.<br /><br /> - SLAM, FairGo4LiveMusic and Music Victoria<br /></span><br />Good work, everyone.<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>A New Director&#x21;</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Brennan</category><dc:date>2010-05-07T22:26:00+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/a-new-director.php#unique-entry-id-17</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/a-new-director.php#unique-entry-id-17</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><div class="image-left"><img class="imageStyle" alt="champers150x3" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/champers150x3.jpg" width="150" height="161"/></div>Maybe there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our non-esteemed Director of Liquor Licensing Sue MacLellan has either been given the flick or wisely left of her own accord, at the end of her 5-year term, and we have a new Director, Mark Brennan. <br /><br />He starts work tomorrow, Saturday May 8, according to the Government's press release. Which is here: <a href="http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/newsroom/10321.html" rel="external">Appointment of new Director of Liquor Licensing</a>.<br /><br />From reading the press release, it appears to me that Brennan has a solid background in dealing with and supporting small businesses, which is great, and music is high on the agenda, which is extra great. We'll see how the next couple of weeks unfold, I guess.<br /><br />There will no doubt be quite a few articles written about this&mdash;I will keep collecting them in the Links section&hellip; see the <a href="../links/may10.html" rel="self" title="May 2010">May 2010</a> page.<br /><br />Brennan's appointment is for 2 years&mdash;by 2 years&rsquo; time the amalgamation of Liquor Licensing with Gaming will be complete. (There was an article about this restructure in this week's Melbourne Times, #17, p14)<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Live music 'not tied to violence'</span><br />It's not a long article, published in today's Age, but it packs a punch. It begins by saying Victoria Police and Melbourne City councillors have backed the music industry's view that live music does not lead to violence.<br /><br />It has a few more very good points, including:<br />"Victoria Police's Senior Sergeant Michelle Young, who leads Melbourne's regional licensing unit, said most venues she worked with were well managed and co-operative. She did not believe there was a link between live music and violence."<br /><br />Read it here: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/live-music-not-tied-to-violence-20100506-ugyz.html" rel="external">Live music 'not tied to violence'.</a><br /><br />Till next time ~ Robin<br /><br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Live Music Forum And Corrections</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Action</category><dc:date>2010-05-05T18:34:57+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/live-music-forum-and-correction.php#unique-entry-id-16</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/live-music-forum-and-correction.php#unique-entry-id-16</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />Tomorrow night Thursday May 6, Yarra Council are hosting a public forum <strong>The Future of Live Music</strong> at Fitzroy Town Hall, 6 - 8pm. You might like to go!<br /><br />Here's what they say&hellip;<br /><br />In response to the challenges facing live music venues, the City Of Yarra is hosting an open forum to discuss the issues facing Yarra&rsquo;s vibrant live music community.  The panel will feature a cross section of the music community including community radio, Fair Go 4 Live Music and Contemporary Music Victoria. Discussion will be moderated by Victoria Marles. Make your voice heard and help find a way forward to keep live music in Yarra rocking into the future.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Details</span><br />WHEN: Thursday 6 May 2010, 6.00pm &ndash; 8.00pm <br />WHERE: Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street, Fitzroy <br />ENTRY: Free <br />CHAIR: Victoria Marles &ndash; CEO, Trust for Nature (former Legal Services Commissioner and former Chair of Circus Oz)<br /><br />PANEL <br />Adrian Basso &ndash; Community Radio (PBS) <br />Zvi Belling &ndash; Public Opinion Afro Orchestra <br />Cr Jane Garrett &ndash; Mayor, Yarra City Council <br />Liam Matthew &ndash; The Old Bar <br />Tim Northeast &ndash; Corner Hotel <br />Jon Perring &ndash; Fair Go 4 Live Music <br />Bruce Phillips &ndash; Director City Development, Yarra City Council <br />Kirsty Rivers &ndash; Music Victoria<br /><br /><strong>Link</strong><br /><a href="http://www.yarracity.vic.gov.au/Services/Arts%20&%20Culture/Festivals%20and%20events_2010.asp#tfolm" rel="external">Calendar event, May 6</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Page corrections</span><br />I want to let you know about some corrections to information on this website. I've corrected two pages: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/cafes.html" rel="self">Cafes and restaurants</a> in the Licences section, and the <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/fees.html" rel="self">Liquor licence fees</a> page.<br /><br />I make small corrections quite often, but these changes are fairly major, so if you have looked at these pages recently, you might want to check them out again. <br /><br />If I have difficulty getting it right, I do wonder how owners of small hospitality businesses, who come from a broad range of backgrounds, are supposed to make sense of the maze of confusing information provided by the Government.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Sue MacLellan</span><br />Just letting you know there has been no public mention of any change to Liquor Licensing personnel&hellip; yet.<br /><br />Cheers ~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Funniest. Speech. Ever.</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Action</category><dc:date>2010-04-19T10:35:34+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/funniest-speech-ever.php#unique-entry-id-15</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/funniest-speech-ever.php#unique-entry-id-15</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><div class="image-right"><img class="imageStyle" alt="leg-council" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/leg-council.jpg" width="102" height="82"/></div>I&rsquo;m not sure whether it's comedy or tragedy, but either way you MUST read about the speech made by the ALP's Matt Viney, in Parliament.<br /><br />We got the lowdown on how he <em>knows</em> there are problems at live music venues, because FORTY YEARS AGO he went to a Spectrum concert and saw&mdash;nudge, nudge&mdash;people passing around a BIG CIGARETTE! For more about the speech, plus the speech itself, look here: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/matt-viney.html" rel="self">Matt Viney's petition speech.</a><br /><br />Then there's the Best Speech Ever, given by Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik after she presented the Live Music Petition to Parliament. Look here: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/pet-speech.html" rel="self">Petition speech by Sue Pennicuik</a>. Sue's onto it.<br /><br />In fact I've created a whole new section on the Greens on this website, find it here: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/greens.html" rel="self">The Greens</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Petition</span><br />The FairGo4Live Music petition was handed to Parliament recently, hence the above speeches. I&rsquo;ve done a page about it: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/petition.html" rel="self">Live music petition</a><br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Roll-back continues (slowly)</span><br />Last Friday we had the very good news The Lomond Hotel in East Brunswick had its "high risk" conditions more-or-less rolled back. They still have to provide security guards if there is "entertainment" after 12.30am, but that's not a problem because their music is over by then.<br /><br />But what is "entertainment" supposed to mean, and are other venues going to have "music" changed to "entertainment" on their licence conditions?<br /><br />What about stand-up comics, or maybe mime artists&hellip; will these be requiring security guards in the near future?<br /><br />Maybe as well as S.L.A.M. we'll be seeing some new groups joining the campaign, like&hellip;<br /><br />S.L.A.C. Save Live Australian Comedy<br />S.L.A.T.N. Save Live Australian Trivia Nights<br />S.L.A.P.R. Save Live Australian Poetry Readings<br />S.L.A.M.A. Save Live Australian Mime Artists<br /><br />I'll stop right here, and hopefully this is just a little rant and common sense will prevail.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Kate's article</span><br />In a busy week for the campaign, there was also Kate Shaw's article published in The Age, 15/4. It's well worth a read&mdash;find it here: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/society-and-culture/music-venues-still-threatened-as-tote-lesson-not-learnt-20100414-sdyq.html" rel="external">Music venues still threatened as Tote lesson not learnt</a><br /><br />Cheers ~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Roll-Back Begins</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Government</category><dc:date>2010-04-14T13:39:25+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/roll-back-begins.php#unique-entry-id-14</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/roll-back-begins.php#unique-entry-id-14</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="george-hotel2" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/george-hotel2.jpg" width="157" height="102"/><br /><span style="font-size:11px; ">The George Hotel, Hamilton</span><br /><br />The roll-back that shouldn't even be happening has begun. One premises has had the liquor licence condition requiring security guards any time music plays lifted&hellip; the George Hotel in Hamilton. Word came through to the music crew late Monday.<br /><br />It shouldn't be happening because the onus to remove a "guilty until proven innocent" licence condition, that says if you have music in your joint you must hire expensive security guards, should not be on the owner. <br /><br />There should be no link between music and "high risk" conditions in the first place, and the Government and Liquor Licensing are showing no sign of removing this link.<br /><br />Moreover, it has been 6 weeks now since the Government recommended to Liquor Licensing that there be more discretion in the crowd control requirements, as a result of the <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/accord.html" rel="self">Live Music Accord</a>, and it has taken this long for one place to be successful?<br /><br />Not only that, only 6 businesses have applied, of which only 4 are eligible for the exemption, out of 700 venues with the high risk conditions on them&mdash;mainly because the process, while free, is difficult, daunting and not guaranteed of success.<br /><br />Also, this roll-back is only for the security guards requirement, not surveillance cameras, as this is all the Live Music Accord covers&mdash;The George in Hamilton still has to provide expensive cameras on "all entrances and exits, bars and entertainment/dance floor areas" if they have music. Look up their licence <a href="https://liquor.justice.vic.gov.au/alarm_internet/alarm_internet.asp?wci=start_alarm_internet" rel="external">here</a>.<br /><br />I'm not saying this is necessarily a problem for them&mdash;for all I know they may have these in place already. It's just that as things are, this condition stays on all the affected venues, who may only want to have a folk singer play to a mature group, and CCTV is an expensive set-up that may well discourage a venue from putting on music.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">John Brumby and The Tote</span><br />That John Brumby and Richard Wynne (the Tote's local MP) should imply to the press they contributed to the Tote reopening, by attending the announcement and dishing out platitudes about how they support live music, is galling in the extreme, when you consider their inaction. See this article in mess+noise: <a href="http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/3920255" rel="external">Tote Reopening: A Brumby Photo Op? </a><br /><br />This is how Quincy McLean, SLAM organiser, described them on Monday, before news about The George came in:<blockquote><p>"They've broken the legs of all these venues and have promised to give out pairs of crutches that no one has yet received." </p></blockquote>Well, one venue now has crutches.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to SLAM's 'how to vote' cards, coming to a polling booth near you, in November's election.<br /><br />Robin<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Relevant links</span><br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/restaurants-and-bars/by-george-a-licensing-win-but-only-six-bother-to-apply-20100413-s7n3.html" rel="external">By George! A licensing win, but only six bother to apply</a><br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/politics/heres-jeers-to-brumbys-latest-liquor-moves-20100226-p7dx.html" rel="external">Here's jeers to Brumby's latest liquor moves</a><br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Tote LIVES</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Venues</category><dc:date>2010-04-11T19:21:47+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/the-tote-lives.php#unique-entry-id-13</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/the-tote-lives.php#unique-entry-id-13</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="tote-Rally" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/tote-rally.jpg" width="458" height="277"/><br /><br />So it wasn't all in vain (the Tote protest above).<br /><br />This afternoon at around 2pm it was announced the Tote will re-open in 6 weeks.<br /><br />The new owners, Andrew Portokallis and Jon Perring, will still be subject to the same draconian licence conditions as the former owner, Bruce Milne, but intend to apply to have these removed when they take over&mdash;a luxury only possible after the efforts of numerous music negotiators and of all the people who attended the Tote rally and the SLAM rally.<br /><br />It should be noted that a few venues have already applied to have these conditions removed, but Liquor Licensing is bogging their applications down in unrelated red tape, and none of them have been successful yet.<br /><br />Also, that the "guilty until proven innocent" licence conditions are still on licenses at all, with the onus on the licensee to act to remove them, says a lot about the inaction of John Brumby and his Government.<br /><br />But it's good news! And bands will be back. More soon. <br /><br />Cheerily yours - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Easter News</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Action</category><dc:date>2010-04-08T17:14:25+10:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/dfea443b82324b18aaf4d61e8f182e2e-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/dfea443b82324b18aaf4d61e8f182e2e-12.php#unique-entry-id-12</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="petition" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/petition.jpg" width="420" height="280"/><br /><span style="font-size:11px; ">photo &copy; </span><span style="font-size:11px; "><a href="http://www.carbiewarbie.com" rel="external">Carbie Warbie</a></span><br /><br />Yesterday a group of musicians spanning many generations handed Greens arts spokeswoman Sue Pennicuik a petition signed by 22,000 people, which asks the Government to remove the link between live music and high-risk liquor licence conditions.<br /><br />Ms Pennicuik (the other Sue) will present it to the Parliament next week.<br /><br />Here's the press release from S.L.A.M and Fair Go 4 Live Music:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">Over 20,000 Victorians demand that &lsquo;high-risk&rsquo; conditions be de-linked from live music.<br /></span><span style="color:#000080;font-weight:bold; ">PETITION DELIVERY WEDNESDAY APRIL 7TH 2010</span><span style="color:#000080;"><br />12.30pm Parliament House, Melbourne<br /> <br />Since the closure of The Tote Hotel in mid-January, the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition has been collecting signatures from music lovers all around Victoria, calling on the State Government to overturn the link between live music and &lsquo;high risk&rsquo; conditions on liquor licenses for live music venues.<br /><br />Melbourne&rsquo;s musicians and music lovers marched through the city streets for the SLAM Rally on February 23rd and it&rsquo;s time to return to the steps of Parliament with the delivery of the petition to the Legislative Council on Wednesday April 7th 2010 by various decades of well-known Victorian musicians.<br /><br />The Victorian musicians who will be presenting the Fair Go 4 Live Music petition to Parliament are:<br /><br />1930s &ndash; Harold Frith<br />1940s &ndash; Mike Rudd<br />1940s &ndash; Ross Wilson<br />1960s &ndash; Jon Von Goes<br />1960s &ndash; Clare Bowditch<br />1970s &ndash; Kram<br />1970s &ndash; Angie Hart<br />1980s &ndash; Dan Sultan<br />1980s &ndash; Evelyn Morris<br /><br />Despite the signing of the Live Music Accord with the State Government, the link between live music and &lsquo;high risk&rsquo; still exists. More disturbingly, no venues have had their high risk conditions removed since the signing of the Accord. The music industry and the public want to see real action on this issue. We want action, not just Accords. The threat to Victoria&rsquo;s vibrant live music culture remains in place. <br /><br />The 22,000 signatures attest to the public support of live music. SLAM, FG4LM and Music Victoria will redouble their efforts to bring this issue to the attention of the public.</span><br /><br /><strong>Links:</strong><br /><a href="http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/hack/notes/s2866622.htm" rel="external">SLAM petition makes it to Parliament</a> - story on triple j<br /><a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/musos-take-fight-to-parliament-20100407-rs7g.html" rel="external">Musos take fight to Parliament </a>- The Age<br /><a href="http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/news/featured/2010/04/melbourne-live-music-petition-presented.htm" rel="external">MELBOURNE LIVE MUSIC PETITION PRESENTED</a> - TONEDEAF<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Remove Sue MacLellan campaign</span><br />At the end of March I put up a new page on this website&hellip; <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/remove-sue.html" rel="self">Remove Sue campaign</a>. <br /><br />There has now been word the Government are restructuring arrangements for liquor licensing, but it's still possible MacLellan may remain in her role for another year, and every week that goes by with her in charge, more damage is done to music venues and the music industry. Please consider campaigning in some way to make sure she is removed from her position as soon as possible.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">New Facebook page</span><br />I've now set up a Facebook page&hellip; <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Music-Doesnt-Make-You-Violent/110123285665687" rel="external">Music Doesn't Make You Violent</a>, to help publicise this website and the issues. Please fan yourself!<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Articles and letters</span><br />I've also added an <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/articles-letters.html" rel="self">Articles and letters</a> section to the website, primarily for writing not published elsewhere online. There's one article so far, by the Reverend Canon John Fowler, about how our pubs are essential training grounds for musicians: <a href="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/live-line.html" rel="self">Pubs Give &lsquo;Live&rsquo; Line to Local Bands</a>.<br /><br />Please drop me a line if you would like me to publish an article or letter for you.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">More articles</span><br />Two other great articles have appeared. One is <a href="http://www.martincooper.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=74:dump-sue-maclellan&catid=39:music-rants&Itemid=55" rel="external">Labor's HOT Seats can save Live Music's Universities</a>, by Martin Cooper. It includes a moving description of a music session at the Lomond Hotel, where both kids and adults learned from experienced musos.<br /><br />The other is in the March AudioTechnolgy magazine (no 73), page 32: <strong>Live music shall overcome&hellip; someday</strong>. It concludes by saying to sound engineers: "Remember, it's very difficult to master the art of a live mix if there are no venues to practise in".<br /><br />That's it for now<br /><br />Cheers - Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Last St Pat&#x27;s Fest At Dan O&#x27;Connell</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Venues</category><dc:date>2010-03-16T16:56:15+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/last-st-pats-dan-oconnell.php#unique-entry-id-11</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/last-st-pats-dan-oconnell.php#unique-entry-id-11</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="Dan oconnell hotel" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/dan-oconnell.jpg" width="299" height="202"/><br /><br />Tomorrow is St Patrick's Day, and like the past 100 years, there will be celebrations at Carlton's Dan O'Connell Hotel, which is known for its Celtic and folk music. Thousands of people come each year to party in the park next to the pub, and the event has the support of police, residents and the Melbourne City Council.<br /><br />However this year's may be the last, because <a href="../suemaclellan.html" rel="self" title="Sue MacLellan">Liquor Licensing Director Sue MacLellan</a> will only give the event a 10pm liquor licence rather than the usual 1am licence, which makes it financially unviable. Worse, without income from this annual event the hotel business will not be as healthy as it was, apparently&hellip; see the Dan&rsquo;s pages for more on this.<br /><br />The Hotel&rsquo;s manager Toby Kingsley says "Crowd behaviour has been exemplary in the past" and that "the director of liquor licensing has insisted on maintaining a draconian approach to live music venues while many violent inner-city nightclubs continue to trade unabated".<br /><br />Read about this in <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/last-st-patricks-at-dan-oconnell-20100304-pjau.html" rel="external">Last St Patrick's at Dan O'Connell</a> (The Age 4/3) and on the Dan's website: <a href="http://www.thedan.com.au/?p=318" rel="external">The last ever St Pat&rsquo;s Day?</a><br /><br />You may wish to join Facebook group <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=344609036027&ref=nf" rel="external">Save St Patrick's Day at the Dan O'Connell</a>.<br /><br />And come along to St Pat's at the Dan! But be early&hellip; it finishes at 10 o'clock.<br /><br />~ Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Police Raid And Stories</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Venues</category><dc:date>2010-03-11T17:39:22+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/police-raid-and-stories.php#unique-entry-id-10</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/police-raid-and-stories.php#unique-entry-id-10</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />I found the following story on blues guitarist Martin Cooper's website recently&hellip; <a href="http://www.martincooper.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=72:death-by-centimetres-all-out-attack-on-live-music&catid=39:music-rants&Itemid=55" rel="external">Death by Centimetres - All-out Attack on Live Music</a>. <br /><br />It's about a raid by gun-carrying, plainclothes police on a peaceful Brunswick bar at 10.30pm, to stop a band playing.<br /><br />I've set up a new <a href="../stories.html" rel="self" title="Stories">Stories page</a> on this website, with links to this story and others, where the music has been stopped. They make sad reading, as far as I am concerned&hellip; the ability to go out to a small, personal venue and play or listen to music is so important to so many people.<br /><br />One thing about the Brunswick raid above that I find incredible is that it happened only five days before the SLAM rally. This was only four days before the <a href="../accord.html" rel="self" title="Accord">Live Music Accord</a> was signed and well after the Government began having discussions with music representatives. Guess I have been naive in thinking there might have been some common sense afloat.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">John Brumby</span><br />I have updated my page about John Brumby, and also my page about a letter he gave MPs to sign and send out about the Tote. They are here: <a href="../johnbrumby.html" rel="self" title="John Brumby">John Brumby page</a> and <a href="../brumbyletter.html" rel="self" title="Brumby letter">Brumby letter page</a>.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">This website</span><br />You may be interested to know that the State Library of Victoria is now archiving this website on a regular basis, along with some other relevant sites, for their collection on this music issue, in their permanent collection of online publications. It's nice to know it's all being recorded for posterity.<br /><br />Till the next time, <br /><br /> ~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Rally&#x2c; Accord &#x26; Greens</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Action</category><dc:date>2010-02-28T13:51:28+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/rally-accord-greens.php#unique-entry-id-9</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/rally-accord-greens.php#unique-entry-id-9</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="Protest420" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/protest420.jpg" width="420" height="234"/><br /><span style="font-size:11px; "><em>Photo by Joe Armao</em></span><br /><br />I'm starting to wish I wasn't doing this website&hellip; it's getting depressing, and I naively didn't think the issues would last this long. <br /><br />The situation is so ridiculous that Blind Freddy can see the problems (no offence to blind people), and so easily fixed that one could be forgiven for assuming this would happen quickly.<br /><br />In case you are new to this issue, two folk singers playing in the afternoon now requires the hiring of expensive security guards at many hotels and bars, even with a very small audience, and this expense simply stops the music.<br /><br />and&hellip;<br /><br />This can be fixed with a stroke of the pen by the Director Of Liquor Licensing, Sue MacLellan, because she can change the regulations at any time. Legally, they are in place at her discretion.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Rally and accord</span><br /><div class="image-right"><img class="imageStyle" alt="bagpipes2" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/bagpipes2.jpg" width="220" height="330"/></div>The rally was great&mdash;see the <a href="http://www.slamrally.org/" rel="external">SLAM website</a> and the new official SLAM Facebook page <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/SLAM-Save-Live-Australias-Music/10150115147200478?ref=nf" rel="external">SLAM (Save Live Australia's Music)</a> for videos and photos.<br /><br />However, most of the media reports straight after said it was a win for music, because music representatives and Government signed an accord the day before, yet for the venues, musicians and audiences sadly affected by all this, NOTHING HAS CHANGED.<br /><br />My new page about the accord is here: <a href="../accord.html" rel="self" title="Accord">Live Music Accord</a><br /><br /><em>Photo: Original Bagpipe player from the classic AC/DC music video of "It&rsquo;s A Long Way To The Top" - by Carbie &copy; </em><em><a href="http://www.carbiewarbie.com/" rel="external">www.carbiewarbie.com</a></em><em><br /></em><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">The Greens</span><br />I'm beginning to think The Greens might be our only salvation. They support common-sense changing of the regulations, and threaten, I think, three ALP-held seats in the election at the end of the year.<br /><br />Please don't believe the nonsense that they voted against music when they didn't support a poorly-worded Liberal motion in January&mdash;it just ain't true.<br /><br />Read all about it on my new page: <a href="../greens.html" rel="self" title="The Greens">The Greens</a>. (And I just want to say here I haven't been involved with The Greens in any way.)<br /><br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="balcony460" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/balcony460.jpg" width="460" height="345"/><br /><em>Greens MLC Greg Barber looking out for music, 23/2.</em><br /><br />Till the next time ~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Know Your Info</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Licences</category><dc:date>2010-02-22T14:11:04+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Know-Your-Info.php#unique-entry-id-8</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Know-Your-Info.php#unique-entry-id-8</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />With the rally in the city tomorrow, see <a href="http://www.slamrally.org/" rel="external">SLAM rally</a>, I am a bit worried that many people connected with music still don't understand the issues. So when a long email arrived from the <a href="http://www.smallvenues.com.au/" rel="external">small venues site</a> last night, I decided to put the whole thing, with a few edits, into a blog post today. Here it is&hellip;<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Background</span><br />There exists a high risk licence condition, beginning "when live or recorded amplified music other than background music is provided:" and followed by a variety of requirements including the employment of a minimum two crowd controllers, along with staff training, cameras and signs.<br /><br />This condition originally appeared in 1998 when it was applied to 3 troublesome premises in Frankston. At the time, the only thing in common among those three places that they could find was the provision of live or recorded amplified music, which is why the condition was worded that way.<br /><br />The condition became a standard high risk condition, applied to licences of premises on a case by case basis, when there were incidents of trouble.<br /><br />In 2002, the then Director of Liquor Licensing began a policy of applying the condition to all new late licences, and also of applying it "retrospectively", or in other words, applying it to existing late licenses as a precautionary measure. In this context, a late licence is one that allows sale of liquor after 1am.<br /><br />The current Director of Liquor Licensing has continued the process of applying the condition as a precautionary measure. Numerous licences have had the condition newly imposed on them as recently as 2009.<br /><br />In the process of changing the licence, licensees have been told:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">"It is the Director's policy to endorse these conditions on a liquor licence where:<br />live or recorded amplified music other than background music is provided; and trading hours endorsed on a licence extend beyond 1 am."</span><br /><br />and<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">"These conditions......are designed to reduce the </span><span style="color:#FF0000;">potential</span><span style="color:#000080;"> for the conduct of the venue to have an unacceptable impact on the amenity of the surrounding area and to minimise the occurrence of anti-social behaviour in and around the licensed premises." </span><br /><br />Unfortunately, the imposition of these conditions all too often has an unacceptable impact on the expenses of the premises. If a premises hosts one three hour music event per week, then it faces a cost of $12000 to $16000 per year (based on a $30 to $40 per hour rate per crowd controller, who must be there extra half hour before and after gig). If there are four gigs per week, then $48000 - $64000 per year. etcetera.<br /><br />S.L.A.M. and FG4LM want music to be de-linked from security conditions. While it is acknowledged that security is a necessity in many situations in contemporary society, it is demanded that other criteria be used to determine how security is applied to licensed premises.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Current situation</span><br />The Age reported on 21 January 2010, that: <br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">"A spokeswoman for Ms MacLellan said, apart from higher fees, requirements on live music venues had not changed since 1999. But many of those conditions, such as minimum security levels, were being properly enforced for the first time." </span><br /><br />When it was pointed out to Ms MacLellan that, in numerous individual cases, requirements had in fact changed, she replied:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">"The quote in the Age is of course truncated from what was said. What was said was if the conditions were imposed then they are the same conditions as those put on in 1999 i.e. security, cameras, RSA training and notices. The option such as done with the (example)..... is to deal with other issues on a case by case basis."</span><br /><br />The Liquor Licensing statement implying that there have been no changes other than proper enforcement continues to be presented in the press.<br /><br />Further spin includes that "the campaign has been scaled back as it looks like some of the issues are being resolved." and that the rally is "not a protest, it's a celebration of live music". <em>Neither of these is correct.</em><br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">License conditions</span><br />Below is the full wording of the licence condition in question:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">When live or recorded amplified music other than background music is provided:</span><br /><ul class="disc"><li><span style="color:#000080;">The licensee shall install and maintain a surveillance recording system able to clearly identify individuals, which shows time and date and provides continuous images of all entrances and exits, bars and entertainment/dance floor areas. The surveillance recording system must operate from 30 minutes before the start of the entertainment being provided, until 30 minutes after closure. A copy of the recorded images must be available upon request for immediate viewing or removal by the Victoria Police, or a person authorised in writing by the Director of Liquor Licensing, or otherwise retained for at least one month. The position of the cameras will be to the satisfaction of the Licensing Inspector.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;">Signs, as described below, are to be displayed in all areas subject to camera surveillance. Such signs shall read: "For the safety and security of patrons and staff this area is under electronic surveillance".</span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;">All staff engaged in the serving of Liquor will complete a "Responsible Serving of Alcohol" training course, approved by the Director of Liquor Licensing within 2 months of this condition being imposed, or of commencing employment.</span></li><li><span style="color:#000080;">Crowd controllers, licensed under the Private Security Act, are to be employed at a ratio of 2 crowd controllers for the first 100 patrons and 1 crowd controller for each additional 100 patrons or part thereof. One crowd controller is to be present outside the premises to monitor patrons arriving at and departing from the premises. Crowd controllers are to be present from 30 minutes before the start of the entertainment being provided, until 30 minutes after closure.</span></li></ul><br />Thanks for your work, small venues - and I just want to add the point that if a premises has these conditions,  they operate at all times, not just late at night.<br /><br />See you at the rally<br /><br />~ Robin<br /> ]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Where Are The Police?</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Government</category><dc:date>2010-02-14T16:23:04+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Where-Are-The-Police.php#unique-entry-id-7</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Where-Are-The-Police.php#unique-entry-id-7</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />I was fascinated by this report in today's Sunday Age: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/hundreds-caught-cbd-police-blitz-20100214-nyve.html" rel="external">Hundreds caught in CBD police blitz</a><br /><br />A "surprise" police blitz last night on drunken behaviour in the CBD lead to 69 arrests, 22 people banned from entering licensed venues, and 368 people given $234 fines.<br /><br />My question in this&hellip; why are the police letting these people get away with it on all the other nights?<br /><br />And why is our government so, so stupidly attempting to deal with this behaviour by introducing fees and regulations that punish safe music venues&mdash;and consequently the creative work that goes on in them?<br /><br />With the obvious result that the only safe place to go out will be the pictures at Chadstone (I would not describe Crown Casino as a safe place).<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Decentralisation</span><br />Victoria has had drunken yobs for a very long time, but it has only been since so many suburban venues have been taken over by pokies that so many of them have headed into the CBD for their "night out". <br /><br />Wouldn't it be a more creative approach to do something about decentralising entertainment venues?<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Lunch outcome</span><br />Read about the meeting between government and music representatives last Wednesday in <a href="http://www.messandnoise.com/news/3871349" rel="external">Perring: &lsquo;No Deal&rsquo; For Live Music Just Yet<br /></a><br />Better yet, read the MINUTES of the meeting from Dave Graney, here: <a href="http://www.messandnoise.com/articles/3871403" rel="external">Dave Graney: &lsquo;We Need A New Proxy!&rsquo;</a><br /><br />I was rather alarmed to read of Brumby's rule change suggestion: No security demands if music is over by 10pm and not if there are less than 50 people in a venue open until 1am. Weird. But at least he talked about new rules.<br /><br />There is another smaller meeting tomorrow between music people and government representatives, to try to sort something out. <br /><br />~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Nightclub Violence And A Big Lunch</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Licences</category><dc:date>2010-02-09T10:11:30+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Nightclub-Violence-And-A-Big-Lunch.php#unique-entry-id-6</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Nightclub-Violence-And-A-Big-Lunch.php#unique-entry-id-6</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />I want to mention this article, which is about some nightclub violence last weekend - <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/coward-act-teen-left-with-permanent-scarring-after-nightclub-glassing-20100209-nnt9.html" rel="external">'Coward act': teen left with permanent scarring after nightclub glassing<br /></a><br />I see the 19 year-old victim is from Mornington, which is a very long way from the club in inner-Melbourne South Melbourne. <br /><br />I'd like to make the point that the kids in the outer suburbs and beyond don't have many places to go these days, because the suburban and outer-suburban venues have mostly been taken over by gaming.<br /><br />Also, the current liquor licensing is going to make it progressively harder to find a safe place for a night out, because the small, safe venues who have consistently put culture ahead of mega-dollars, and so have a narrow profit margin, will not be able to survive the draconian conditions, fees and fines (word is that venues are being fined harshly for something like a security guard not filling his time sheet in properly).<br /><br />See this article in yesterday's Age: <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/news/entertainment/arts/cultural-events-hard-hit-by-bureaucratic-regulations/2010/02/07/1265477536996.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1" rel="external">Cultural events hard hit by bureaucratic regulations</a><br /><br />And meanwhile, the big clubs march on.<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">The Big Lunch</span><br />I call on the Government to address two things at tomorrow's <a href="http://www.theage.com.au/national/bands-and-fans-set-to-rock-spring-street-20100206-njxj.html" rel="external">Big Lunch</a> (amongst all the other things):<br /><br />1. Music venues in inner, middle and outer suburbs, and the country, be actively supported so kids don't all head straight into the city and into dangerous clubs and  surrounding streets. <br /><br />2. Remove the draconian liquor license fee increase a venue cops if they have a single infringement, such as a noise fine, the year before. I have updated my <a href="../fees.html" rel="self" title="Fees">Fees page</a> with information on this. We all know a noise fine can come from a single ridiculous complaint, with no opportunity to challenge it&hellip; while I'm at it, fix this too.<br /><br />I don't know what will be on the menu at The Big Lunch, but I suspect if I was attending I would not feel like eating.<br /><br />Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Madwoman At Large</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>MacLellan</category><dc:date>2010-02-06T22:21:15+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Madwoman-At-Large.php#unique-entry-id-5</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Madwoman-At-Large.php#unique-entry-id-5</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />The main change I've made in the past few days is to update my pages on Sue MacLellan in the light of Tom Hawking's excellent article in <em>Inpress</em> this week, Feb 3, page 19: LEAVE OUR PUBS ALONE.<br /><br />See <a href="../suemaclellan.html" rel="self" title="Sue MacLellan">Sue MacLellan</a>.<br /><br />This woman has had ample opportunity to become familiar with how her decisions have impacted Victoria's music culture. She has been having visits from those affected for months. <br /><br />Saying a quiet Saturday afternoon music performance with an audience of 10 people requires expensive security guards is either monumentally stupid or there is a hidden agenda&mdash;whether it's to bolster the gaming industry or simply to bolster her ego I don't know. Perhaps she believes she is being a "strong woman" by refusing to take in any information.<br /><br />Whatever the case, as Tom Hawking points out in his article, the point is that one person should not have such extensive powers, and should not be unaccountable. Even Brumby can't sack her!<br /><br /><span style="color:#F9651E;font-weight:bold; ">Rally</span><br /><div class="image-right"><img class="imageStyle" alt="slamrally" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/slamrally.jpg" width="200" height="273"/></div>I expect you know by now about the S.L.A.M. rally on Feb 23. A band will re-enact AC/DC's video of riding down Swanston St on a truck singing Long Way To The Top. Here's the rally's website: <a href="http://www.slamrally.org/" rel="external">S.L.A.M (Save Live Australian Music)</a><br /><br />At the moment it is the RocKwiz band playing&mdash;would be good if AC/DC make it, won&rsquo;t it?<br /><br />See you there!<br /><br />Cheers - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Talks Fail</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Government</category><dc:date>2010-02-01T09:01:37+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Talks-Fail.php#unique-entry-id-4</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Talks-Fail.php#unique-entry-id-4</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />Unfortunately talks between music representatives and Sue MacLellan (Wednesday) and Tony Robinson (Thursday) got nowhere. Apparently MacLellan offered that operators could apply to have their risk conditions removed (this is already in place anyway but not reasonable), but the group says the link between music and violence should simply be dropped.<br /><br />And Tony Robinson doesn't seem to be able to influence Sue MacLellan.<br /><br />By the way, did you see the cover of <em>Inpress</em> this week? ha ha ha ha ha <br /><br /><img class="imageStyle" alt="inpress cover sue maclellan" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/sue-maclellan-inpress-cover.jpg" width="460" height="642"/><br /><br />I have heard that MacLellan is upset about it. Well&hellip; lots of venue operators and their staff and musicians are upset with her, and they are facing losing the businesses they have spent years building up, and their livelihood, creative work and culture, whereas Sue isn't.<br /><br />I've made quite a few changes to this site in the past few days: I've updated the <a href="../information.html" rel="self" title="Information">Information</a> page, <a href="../licenses.html" rel="self" title="Licenses">Liquor licenses</a> page, <a href="../gov-attitude.html" rel="self" title="Govt attitude">Government attitude</a> page and <a href="../suemaclellan.html" rel="self" title="Sue MacLellan">Sue MacLellan's attitude</a>.<br /><br />I've heard things are going to get BIG this week - here's hoping for a resolution.<br /><br />Cheers - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Government Caving In?</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Government</category><dc:date>2010-01-24T14:02:34+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/government-caving-in.php#unique-entry-id-3</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/government-caving-in.php#unique-entry-id-3</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />There have been quite a few signs the government is changing its tune. I hope they are, and that it goes further than a cosmetic "we saved the Tote".<br /><br />I've updated the following pages, with information and links from the past few days.: <a href="../gov-attitude.html" rel="self" title="Govt attitude">Government attitude</a>, <a href="../suemaclellan.html" rel="self" title="Sue MacLellan">Sue MacLellan&rsquo;s attitude</a> and the <a href="../links/links.html" rel="self" title="Links">Links</a> page. You&rsquo;ll find Jon Faine&rsquo;s radio interview of Sue MacLellan about fees in there.<br /><br />Cheers - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>Government Attitude</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Government</category><dc:date>2010-01-21T22:22:36+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Government-attitude.php#unique-entry-id-2</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/Government-attitude.php#unique-entry-id-2</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<div class="image-left"><img class="imageStyle" alt="Sue-MacLellan167" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/sue-maclellan167.jpg" width="167" height="157"/></div>I've added a section to this website today about the government's attitude to the damage they are doing to Victoria's music culture. <br /><br />The new section is here: <a href="../gov-attitude.html" rel="self" title="Govt attitude">Government attitude</a><br /><br />There are pages about Premier <a href="../johnbrumby.html" rel="self" title="John Brumby">John Brumby</a>, liquor licensing boss <a href="../suemaclellan.html" rel="self" title="Sue MacLellan">Sue MacLellan</a>, and also about the debacle being endured by <a href="../swords.html" rel="self" title="Swords Wine">Swords Wine</a> at the Vic market.<br /><br />I've also added some info about changes to venue capacities, on the <a href="../pubs.html" rel="self" title="Pubs">Pubs page</a>.<br /><br />An item in Crikey yesterday suggested the government were about to change their ways, and start being realistic about license conditions.<br /><br />Here's hoping for a quick resolution.<br /><br />Cheers - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>License Fee Hikes</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Licences</category><dc:date>2010-01-20T13:30:56+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/license-fee-hikes.php#unique-entry-id-1</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/license-fee-hikes.php#unique-entry-id-1</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<br />I've aded a new page today about changes to liquor licence fees. Information is starting to come out, now that the fees have been in place for about 3 weeks.<br /><br />This is a much wider issue than music venues, but I do think the new structure shows the utter incompetence of the State Government and Liquor Licensing, and THAT is relevant to music venues, at the moment.<br /><br />Here's the new page: <a href="../fees.html" rel="self" title="Fees">Fees</a>. I've also added more fallout to the <a href="../fallout.html" rel="self" title="Fallout">Fallout</a> page, and links to the <a href="../links/links.html" rel="self" title="Links">Links</a> page.<br /><br />By now you probably know that Chris Morris the owner of the Tote building is in talks to keep it running&mdash;there's a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Chris-Morris-rocks/263285887530?ref=mf" rel="external">Chris Morris Rocks</a> Facebook fan page!<br /><br />Chris on the Tote:<br />"It has a huge reputation in Melbourne and it's just been fascinating seeing all the commentary and the reaction of people and the Facebook sites and everything else.<br />"Therefore we have no desire for it to close down and we just hope it can continue in its current form and we're pretty confident that will happen."<br /><br />Well good!<br /><br />Hope this flows on to all the other music venues affected.<br /><br />Cheers - Robin]]></content:encoded></item><item><title>The Tote Closes</title><dc:creator>Robin Birch</dc:creator><category>Venues</category><dc:date>2010-01-14T16:54:31+11:00</dc:date><link>http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/tote-closes.php#unique-entry-id-0</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/tote-closes.php#unique-entry-id-0</guid><content:encoded><![CDATA[<img class="imageStyle" alt="The Tote Collingwood" src="http://musicdoesntmakeyouviolent.com/blog/files/tote.jpg" width="200" height="133"/><br />So today the publican at The Tote announces The Tote is closing. He says the liquor license conditions make it impossible to keep going. <br /><br />Apparently the State Government believes that the MUSIC at The Tote could cause the type of violence found at CBD nightclubs, because the draconian conditions on The Tote&rsquo;s license only come into effect if there is live music. What a joke.<br /><br />Here&rsquo;s the press release from Bruce Milne, publican:<br /><br /><span style="color:#000080;">It&rsquo;s last drinks at the Tote. This weekend.<br />I know it&rsquo;s sudden. I didn&rsquo;t plan it to be like that.<br />I can&rsquo;t afford to keep fighting Liquor Licensing. The &ldquo;high risk&rdquo; conditions they have placed on the Tote&rsquo;s license make it impossible to trade profitably. I can&rsquo;t afford the new &ldquo;high risk&rdquo; fees they have imposed. I can&rsquo;t afford to keep fighting them at VCAT. I can&rsquo;t renegotiate a lease in this environment.<br />So, come into the Tote this weekend to say farewell to the sad staff and to feel the sticky carpet for the last time.<br />I don&rsquo;t believe the Tote is a &ldquo;high risk&rdquo; venue, in the same category as the nightclubs that make the news for all the wrong reasons. Despite being on a rough little corner of Collingwood, the Tote has had very, very few incidents. As a local police officer once said, &ldquo;The Tote&rsquo;s the quietest pub in the area.&rdquo; (!).<br />It&rsquo;s not dumb luck that the Tote has escaped serious violence. I believe the business has been run responsibly. People don&rsquo;t come to the Tote to fight. They come because they have a passion for music and love to be in an historic venue that reeks of that same passion.<br />The Tote is (sorry, was) an important cornerstone of Melbourne&rsquo;s rich and diverse music community. It&rsquo;s too late to save the Tote but not too late to try and save other inner city venues that are feeling the same pressures.<br />I know the sudden closure affects a lot of people. Most importantly, the hard-working staff that are being forced onto the dole queue. And the bands and artists that have had their gigs pulled from under them.<br />Anyway, I don&rsquo;t want to get maudlin (or viciously angry). The era of the Tote is over. If you love the place, come and have a beer with us this weekend.<br /><br />Regards,<br />Bruce Milne<br /></span><br />So The Tote is seen as a &ldquo;high risk&rdquo; venue. Funny, I felt totally safe at the Tote&hellip; I think <em>because</em> it had music. Would I go into one of those yucko pubs on a corner somewhere, those ones with no music? Naah - I wouldn&rsquo;t feel <em>safe</em>.<br /><br />~ Robin<br />]]></content:encoded></item></channel>
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