Music industry bodies have welcomed the disallowance of the NSW government’s rushed music festival regulations as an opportunity for a fresh start on ways to improve safety at music festivals.

The NSW Upper House has voted to disallow the regulations which were rushed through by the Coalition Government before the state election in March. The disallowance motion had been recommended by the Legislative Council Regulation Committee in its report presented last month.

“The Government can now sit down with the industry for some constructive consultation on ways to improve patron safety at music festivals, including steps to reduce drug-related harm,” said Evelyn Richardson, Chief Executive of Live Performance Australia.

“From the outset, we have repeatedly expressed our strong desire to work collaboratively with government on our shared commitment to safer festivals.

 “Genuine collaboration with industry representatives who have decades of experience in running safe and successful festivals is the best way to promote the safety of festival patrons, while also ensuring NSW  continues to enjoy the economic and cultural benefits from a dynamic and diverse music festival industry,” Ms Richardson said.