Big profit poker machine venues across South Australia will be hit under a plan from Nick Xenophon to bolster the state's live music scene.
Announcing his SA-BEST party's live music policy for the March state election, Mr Xenophon says an extra $5 million over the next five years will be provided to the sector to encourage, promote and mentor local musicians and bands.
He plans to raise most of the cash from those pokie venues making the largest profits and which have little or no live music.
"Many musos still remember the impact of pokies in pubs driving out live music in the mid-1990s," Mr Xenophon said.
"This fund will have a formula that requires those venues with little or no live music to contribute the $1.25 million a year in extra funding, with bigger, high-profit venues paying more."
News that makes sense
Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
The SA-BEST policy will also help support concerts in schools, promote new bands on social media and on radio stations and develop training programs for musicians, songwriters and promoters.
