Former Powderfinger bassist and music venue owner John “J.C.” Collins has scored an exciting new gig, named Queensland’s inaugural nightlife economy commissioner.
His new independent role was funded in the state budget, and Collins is set to build up the state’s after-dark offerings in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games.
The Courier Mail reports that Collins was chosen by the state’s premier, Steven Miles, after a three-month recruitment process.
“J.C. is synonymous with success, whether that’s on stage or in business,” Miles told the publication.
Adding that Collins is a “great appointment” for Queensland, bringing with him decades of experience and knowledge to help make the state’s nightlife economy thrive, Miles continued:
“We will continue to work closely to ensure we protect the safe environment my government has worked hard to build and enforce while also growing opportunities for our business and arts sectors.”
Collins, the co-owner and venue director of The Fortitude Music Hall and The Triffid, said it’s currently “very tough” in the music scene, particularly for smaller venues, “which run on such a small margin.”
But he refuses to feel the doom and gloom, instead keeping his head up and doing the work to strengthen the live music scene.
Of his new appointment, Collins said, “I’m very excited about getting around and talking to all the stakeholders in the state and hearing what they’ve got to say and then being a consistent message between the nightlife economy and the government.”
His role, which begins eight years before the 2032 Olympic Games, provides the opportunity to “get out [of] the house in order to get ready for the world’s biggest party,” Collins said.
Collins will serve a three-year term as Queensland’s first-ever nightlife economy commissioner, with the possibility of an additional three-year extension.
Earlier this year, Collins was honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia for his “significant service to the arts through music and to the community.”
