In 2010, live music became an election issue. This hadn’t happened before. The Victorian state election was held at the end of November.
Political parties started taking real notice of live music issues after 4,000 people attended the Tote rally on Jan 17, and even more after 20,000 crowded into the city streets for the Feb 23 SLAM rally (there had never before been such a big rally in support of cultural issues).
In the lead-up to the election, the political parties were being asked about their live music policy, and voters were making their interest clear…
I Love Music and I Vote – Victorian Facebook group
Music Victoria had T shirts for those who joined up:

Here is an article from the 2 weeks or so before the election:
When the man comes around: a case of cash for rock – Brumby Govt make huge election promises to contemporary music (but unfortunately they lost the election so it was back to square one) The Age 14/11/2010
Since 2010
Live music has now been put on the agenda at elections at various levels of government.
See the following pages and links for examples and information:
St Kilda Live Music Community – council elections and more
St Kilda Live Music – Facebook page
Get live music voted into City of Port Phillip – Elections 2012 – Facebook event, council elections on Oct 27 2012
For comprehensive information on the state of play of many issues in Victoria head to the SLAM website page VICTORIAN CONTEMPORARY LIVE MUSIC: WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE