Pune (P&V News Service): Laughter will fill venues across Victoria with an expanded program at this year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival thanks to increased support from the Andrews Labor Government.The additional investment will bring comedy events to regional Victoria, add new venues to the line-up and attract more people to the program of events. Throughout February and March, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Outta Town toured Geelong, Mildura, Swan Hill, Warrnambool, Ballarat, Hamilton, Portland, Bendigo, Wangaratta and Wodonga.Outta Town kicked off with a RAW Comedy Heat at Geelong West Town Hall on Friday 11 February with Lano and Woodley, Geraldine Hickey and Claire Hooper also featuring in the program.Extra venues for 2022 include RMIT Capitol Theatre, Trades Hall, the Chinese Museum, the Greek Centre and the Victoria Hotel. Beyond the CBD, the festival will also head to Thornbury, Narre Warren, Werribee, Footscray, Moorabbin, Preston and Broadmeadows.The Very Big Laugh Out offers free family-friendly performances at Federation Square and other outdoor spaces across the city – which will encourage more visitors to the CBD.Staging a larger and longer comedy program means more businesses will receive benefits, with 87 per cent of surveyed Melbourne Comedy Festival attendees also getting a meal or drinks while attending a show.The Labor Government is backing the return of a packed calendar of events throughout Victoria this year to attract more visitors to our state and support local jobs.