Singer Tex Perkins to run in Victorian state election

The fight to protect Melbourne's Palais Theatre is going all the way to the Victorian election.

Campaigner and musician Tex Perkins has announced plans to stand as an independent for Albert Park in the November 29 poll.

The St Kilda-based singer-songwriter, best known for fronting The Cruel Sea, said the neglect of the theatre and buck-passing from both sides of politics influenced his last-minute decision to stand.

"The Palais is a state-owned heritage building and there are policies for how you maintain these buildings," he said.

"Instead she has been neglected by both sides of politics for far too many years. So push has finally come to shove - she needs a funding commitment now."

Mr Perkins said the campaign got a major boost last Wednesday when Rolling Stones frontman Mick Jagger told fans at their Melbourne concert about the campaign.

Scaffolding was placed outside the theatre in August to ensure it could continue to operate safely.

The City of Port Phillip has committed $7.5 million to improve the theatre if the state government commits $25 million for the project.