Representatives from the live music industry welcomed the recommendations handed down by the NSW Legislative Council Regulation Committee following its inquiry into NSW music festival regulations. 

The following statement has been released by the Australian Festival Association, in conjunction with Live Performance Australia, Music NSW, APRA AMCOS, the Live Music Office and the Association of Artist Managers. 

“We welcome the Regulation Committee’s recommendation to disallow the Music Festival Regulations, and its support for the immediate establishment of a Regulatory Roundtable comprising key government and industry stakeholders to chart a constructive way forward. 

“The industry’s aim has always been to work with government to develop a more workable regulatory approach to improving safety at festivals.

“The safety and enjoyment of festival goers is our top priority and we are now keen to engage in a collaborative and constructive partnership with Government agencies to develop and implement a regulatory regime which achieves this.”

At the hearing earlier this month, the committee heard from promoters and peak industry bodies on how the lack of industry consultation and the rushed introduction of these regulations had impacted the festival industry.  

The motion to disallow these regulations has been tabled in the NSW Upper House pending the results of this inquiry. The alliance looks forward to working with Government to strike the right balance between safety, community, culture and a thriving economy for both live music festivals and audiences all over NSW.