Libby Coker (Corangamite, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Music is good for the soul. It uplifts us. It's a mirror to our culture. That's why we must respect and celebrate all those who create our nation's stories in songs, in words and in visual imagery. So it was a real privilege to celebrate last night with our Minister for the Arts and our Left Right Out band as we joined on stage with some of our nation's iconic musical storytellers, the Wiggles and singer-songwriter Dan Sultan. Everyone knows the words to 'Toot, Toot, Chugga Chugga, Big Red Car'! The Wiggles phenomenon has been exported to the world.

The Albanese government understands the importance of our creative industries, and that's why today we've announced the next tranche of our Creative Australia policy to better support our nation's artists, to make sure that, when we watch a movie, turn on the TV, listen to a podcast or turn the dial on the radio, our culture is reflected strongly back at us. Australian content matters. It defines who we are. It uplifts the soul. Importantly, it helps employ our artists in secure, rewarding work. In closing, I give my thanks to the co-chairs of the Parliamentary Friends of Australian Children's Storytelling, the members for Solomon and Leichardt. There is no better fun to be had in parliament than to join the Wiggles.

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