Martin Foley, the Labor Shadow Minister for the Arts in Victoria, has placed rock star and wannabe politician Tex Perkins as his number two preference for the seat of Albert Park.
St Kilda resident Tex Perkins surprised many in the music industry when he announced his candidacy for the seat of Albert Park in the upcoming Victorian election on November 29.
One-policy Perkins is standing for the restoration of St Kilda’s iconic Palais Theatre, which has been a privately run business since 1929. By competing for a seat in the Victorian election, Perkins has placed himself up against Foley, the one man in politics who has been working towards increasing funding to the music industry in Victoria.
Foley, and Labor leader Dan Andrews, recently announced a $22.2 million funding package for contemporary music in Victoria. Dan Andrews also last week announced $2 million in funding for music education in schools.
Perkins decision to run surprised many in the industry who saw the Perkins run for power as a senseless sabotage of Foley’s chances. Commentator Helen Razer said “Tex Perkins belongs on your iTunes, not on your ballot”.
Early voting booths opened yesterday (Monday, 17 November, 2014) for the election in two weeks. For early voting locations click here.
