News and commentary links
January 2010
The Tote to close doors in Collingwood, due to tough new Melbourne licensing laws - Herald Sun, 14/1
Time called on the Tote - The Age, 15/1
Milne: Tote’s Closure Is ‘Wake-Up Call’ - 15/1 - interview of Bruce Milne, director of The Tote
Fee hikes hit country pubs - 14/1 - not directly about music, but shows stupidity of liquor licensing body
Tote Hotel - statement from Director of Liquor Licensing - Sue MacLellan demonstrates her incompetence (read Bruce’s response in the comments)
White knights circling to save The Tote - 18/1 - enlightening
7.30 Report story, Jan 19 - EXCELLENT, includes video of segment
Fresh blow to music scene - 21/1 - about Arthouse closure, includes info on capacity changes
Letter to Government (pdf) - from the Music Council of Australia, 21/1
Tote closure is personal - by Myf Warhurst, 22/1
Rule change hope for Tote - 22/1 - Jon Perring says Govt can do it
A CFA Bungle .. and the Liquor Licensing Boss Takes on her Critics - Jon Faine’s interview of Sue Maclellan 22/1
Spring Street tap dances, fearing the Tote could rock the vote - 24/1
Live music offer hits a sour note, venues say - talks fail, and it appears Sue is not the one to approach, 28/1
No link between live music and violence - statement from GREENS, 28/1, “The Commissioner can remove the link between live music and the requirement for security at any time, and she should do so now.”
Will the close of the Tote force Government to back down on tough live music laws? - comprehensive article in Herald Sun 28/1