Overhaul of Events NSW
Source: New South Wales. Premier. Media Release.
An overhaul of Events NSW and how the New South Wales government's approach to events attraction, has been announced.

$38M TO GET NEW TECHNOLOGIES WORKING FOR AUSTRALIA
Source: Australia. Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science & Research. Media Release
"The Rudd Government is introducing a comprehensive national framework to guide the safe development of new technologies such as nanotechnology and biotechnology as part of a $38.2 million National Enabling Technologies Strategy released today. The strategy is part of the Rudd Government’s $1.1 billion Super Science Initiative."

GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES NEW PEAK BODY FOR VICTORIAN MUSIC
Source: Victoria. Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Victoria’s contemporary music sector received a boost with Arts Minister Peter Batchelor announcing the formation of a new peak body – Music Victoria.
The announcement follows the establishment of a Live Music taskforce that is meeting regularly to resolve a number of concerns about the impact current liquor licensing arrangements were having on some small music venues.
Mr Batchelor said the Brumby Labor Government would provide seed funding of up to $250,000 to support the establishment of an independent body, Music Victoria.
“Melbourne and Victoria play a key role Australia’s music scene and contemporary music is an important economic and social driver in our community,” Mr Batchelor said.
“From dedicated musicians, iconic festivals and passionate audiences, Victoria is renowned as being the place for music. Music Victoria will represent the sector’s interests on a local, national and even an international level and ensure Victoria’s contemporary music credentials remain strong.”

NEW ACCORD TO SECURE THE FUTURE OF VICTORIA’S LIVE MUSIC SCENE
Source: Victoria. Minister for Consumer Affairs. Media Release
"The Brumby Labor Government and the live music industry have signed up to an Accord to help secure the future of Victoria’s unique live music scene, Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson announced. Consumer Affairs Minister Tony Robinson said the Live Music Accord marked an important partnership between the Brumby Government and the music industry to secure the future of live music in our state. The Brumby Labor Government fully supports Victoria’s live music culture and is committed to ensuring its future,” he said."

Successful National Science Week 2010 projects announced
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Cabinet. Media Release.
"A modern forensics display, a science rock cabaret and a biodiversity study are among 38 innovative projects to share in $500,000 worth of Australian Government grants for National Science Week 2010. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research announced the projects at Questacon today during a reception for Professor Elizabeth Blackburn, the first Australian woman to receive a Nobel Prize. National Science Week will be held between 14 and 22 August."

Nominate a science champion for PM's prizes for science
Source: Australia. Prime Minister and Cabinet. Media Release.
"Australians, while in the Olympic spirit, are encouraged to nominate their science champions for the 2010 Prime Minister's Prizes for Science. The Prime Minister's Prizes for Science are the most significant science prizes in Australia and a fitting tribute to the brilliant work done by our scientists and science teachers. In 2009, Dr John O'Sullivan received the Prime Minister's Prize for Science for his achievements in astronomy and wireless technologies."

NEW FILM PROGRAMS RESPOND TO INDUSTRY NEEDS
Source: Premier and Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"New screen support programs will give the Queensland film industry greater flexibility and opportunity, Premier and Minister for the Arts Anna Bligh announced. “These new programs, created by Screen Queensland after an in-depth consultation process, represent the views, objectives and expectations of the industry,” the Premier said. “The programs represent a $6 million investment in the Queensland screen industry by my Government and include opportunities for production, professional development, marketing financial support and networking. New program the Writers’ Room will provide financial and professional support to writers to help projects reach a market-ready stage."

Digital dividend green paper
Australia. Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Media Release.
"The Rudd Government today released a Government green paper seeking public comment on the benefits and costs of maximising Australia’s digital dividend. The ‘digital dividend’ is the term used to describe the radio-frequency spectrum made available up as a result of the switchover to digital-only television..."Releasing the digital dividend will be an important microeconomic reform that will boost productivity in the Australian economy by enabling new services and applications."The green paper establishes a Government target of 126 megahertz (MHz) of contiguous ultra-high frequency spectrum. Achieving this will involve moving some digital television services to new channels.The Government is committed to achieving a maximised digital dividend while maintaining Australians’ existing access to free-to-air digital television services. However, before making its final decision on the size and location of the digital dividend, the Government is inviting comments on the benefits and costs to the Australian community and economy of realising its target."I encourage all interested parties to access the green paper and provide comments by the 26 February deadline," Senator Conroy said."

Up to $100,000 in prizes on the line for creative thinkers
Source: NSW. Minister for Commerce and Science and Medical Research. Media Release.
"Web developers, school students and members of the public are being encouraged to come up with innovative ways to help people use NSW Government information and services with the ‘apps4nsw’ competition. Minister for Commerce and Science and Medical Research Jodi McKay declared the‘apps4nsw’ competition officially open.
More than 400 government data sets are now available at www.data.nsw.gov.au including health, crime and road accident statistics, threatened species data and storm tracking information."

FUND HAS VICTORIAN SCREEN PRACTITIONERS GOING GLOBAL
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Victorian film producers will be able to more easily pursue international investment for their projects through a $250,000 Brumby Labor Government funding program. Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings said the Global Connections Business Support program, the first new program to be established under the new Victorian Screen Industry Strategy, would assist Victorian producers promote their productions to overseas interests.“The local screen industry last year generated $172 million to the Victorian economy which is why the Brumby Labor Government is taking action to help Victorian producers connect with overseas investors who might want to invest in Australian films,” Mr Jennings said.“The Government has identified the screen industry as a major economic driver to the state which last year directly created around 5164 full time equivalent jobs. This is one reason why new strategy Our Vision on Screen outlines a number of initiatives to drive the industry’s growth. The Global Connections Business Support program - offering grants of up to $8000 - helps local screen producers connect with overseas financiers, broadcasters and distributors and increases opportunities for securing investment and export."

ARTS AND CULTURE ACTION PLAN SET TO ENRICH QUEENSLAND COMMUNITIES
Source: Queensland. Premier and Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh forecast a healthy future for Queensland culture with the launch of a statewide action plan to keep arts in the regions thriving.
“artbeat: Regional Arts and Culture Strategy 2010-2014 is important because it affects all Queenslanders who live in regional and remote areas. “It commits the Government to working with regional communities, our partners in local and federal government and with arts organisations to achieve common goals. These goals include using arts and culture to build stronger communities and to give opportunities for people to take part in arts and culture."

STRATEGY TO GROW AND SUPPORT VICTORIA’S SCREEN INDUSTRY
Source: Victoria. Minister for Innovation. Media Release
"Creating more world class products, increasing industry jobs and investment and building greater skills to attract more international film projects are some of the key initiatives in Victoria’s new five-year screen industry strategy. Launching the $178 million Victorian Screen Industry Strategy 2009 – 2014: Our Vision on Screen, Innovation Minister Gavin Jennings described the strategy as a blueprint for growth and success in Victoria’s world-class screen sector.“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to support Victoria’s film, television and digital media industries which boost the economy and create jobs for our State,” Mr Jennings said."
Victorian Screen Industry Strategy 2009 – 2014: Our Vision on Screen

FUNDING TO BOOST OPPORTUNITIES FOR REGIONAL QUEENSLAND MUSICIANS
Source: Queensland. Premier and Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Premier and Arts Minister Anna Bligh announced a major boost for regional Queensland’s contemporary musicians with $191 000 in funding to develop skills and opportunities in their own communities. “This funding will play a vital role in kick-starting the careers of young emerging musicians in regional areas by offering comprehensive skill development programs and career development opportunities in the contemporary music industry,” said the Premier.
“Through the Queensland Government’s A Venue program, funding will be distributed to local government areas in 2010, with three new entrants from last year, including one Indigenous Council.” The Premier said the successful Councils will implement programs which respond to specific needs and opportunities within local communities."

NSW GOVERNMENT BRINGS THE MUSIC BACK
Source: New South Wales. Minister for Planning. Media Release.
“Changes which come into effect from Monday will make it cheaper and easier for clubs, pubs, cafés and restaurants to host live music. Planning Minister, Kristina Keneally, announced that the NSW Government will abolish special licenses required for local venues to play live music. “The abolition of the Place of Public Entertainment licenses mean local eateries and watering holes no longer need development approval if they want to host live bands or musicians,” Ms Keneally said.”

NEW TOURING FUND CREATES OPPORTUNITIES FOR QUEENSLAND ARTS
Source: Queensland. Premier and Minister for the Arts. Media Release
"Premier Anna Bligh has announced the opening of a new touring fund of $1.9 million to bring fresh product and opportunities for Queensland’s performing arts in 2010 and 2011.
“This is truly a new era for Queensland touring as we invite applications from all genres—music, dance, theatre workshops, residencies, youth arts activities—who have great product that can easily be toured and that will make an artistic impact on Queensland communities,” Ms Bligh said.
“The vision for the touring fund is that a selection of the very best in arts experiences will be available to communities across the state.
Ms Bligh said the touring fund was an initiative from the Coming to a Place Near You: Touring Strategy for performing arts in Queensland 2009-2014 which reviewed gaps in services and emerging priorities."

NEW FUNDING FOR INDIGENOUS THEATRE DEVELOPMENT
Source: Queensland. Deputy Premier . Media Release
"Acting Premier and Minister for the Arts Paul Lucas invited applications to a new fund dedicated to growing Indigenous theatre in Queensland. Mr Lucas said the $259,000 Indigenous Theatre Fund was a one-off initiative focused on providing theatre companies, playwrights, directors, actors and theatre professionals with the opportunity to produce new work for presentation in Queensland. "The Indigenous Theatre Fund, a joint initiative of the State Government through Arts Queensland and the Theatre Board of the Australia Council for the Arts, supports partnership projects to strengthen Indigenous theatre practice in the state," he said."

National Arts and Disability Strategy
Source: Australia. Cultural Ministers Council
"The National Arts and Disability Strategy came out of a consultation process between the Cultural Ministers Council and the arts and disability sector, including organisations and individuals, and with submissions from arts practitioners and arts consumers in the sector."

Taking Australian Children's TV to the World
Source: Australia. Minister for Trade. Media Release
"A high-powered television trade mission will visit South Korea this week to promote Australian expertise in children's television production.
The mission will be looking for opportunities to partner with Korean companies to deliver content through a range of emerging digital platforms “ including mobile phone technology."

Students to Shine in State-of-the-Arts School
Source: Victoria. Minister for Education. Media Release
"Victoria’s best budding dancers and musicians will take to the stage and their studies in one of the world’s most unique performing arts schools, thanks to a $20 million Brumby Labor Government investment in education. Education Minister Bronwyn Pike officially opened the Victorian College of the Arts Secondary School (VCASS) for students in Years seven to 12 in Southbank.“This school is about delivering new and creative buildings to give Victorian students cutting-edge opportunities in education within a world-class government school system,” Ms Pike said. The VCASS has 200 specially-selected students in its dance and music program, as well as academic students from the Australian Ballet School, Gymnastics Victoria and Diving Victoria. "

WORLD-FIRST DESIGN GUIDELINES TO PROMOTE SAFETY IN AND AROUND LICENSED VENUES
Source: Victoria. Minister for Community Services. Media Release
"A world-first set of design principles would help reduce violence and antisocial behaviour in and around licensed venues, Consumer Minister Tony Robinson said. At the launch of the Design Guidelines for Licensed Premises at Melbourne’s State of Design Festival, Mr Robinson said the principles would encourage architects, planners and licensees to create innovative and creative spaces while promoting patron safety and reducing noise, litter and violence in the surrounding community.“The Brumby Labor Government is taking action to make Victoria’s licensed venues safer and more enjoyable and reduce the negative impact these venues can have on the broader community,” Mr Robinson said. "