Live Performance Australia, in association with the Australian Festival Association, APRA AMCOS, Music NSW and the Live Music Office released the following joint statement.

“Last night at the eleventh hour, the Government finally released the regulations and guidelines for the controversial music festival license again showing they have absolutely no respect for the music and festival industry.

“The music, festivals and events industry is complex and establishing guidelines will always be hard and require good process. With a state election looming and a rush for media headlines, the NSW Government has ignored repeated requests to consult properly with our sector. This is why they are getting critical definitions and details wrong for an industry worth over $600 million to the state and employing thousands.



“The regulation guidelines as they now stand also mean that any concert for over two thousand people with more than four performers, longer than five hours in duration or with more than one stage are likely to be at risk. From the Sydney Opera House, Olympic Park, Luna Park, the Hordern, wineries, showgrounds, beaches and community events, concerts like this happen across the state every weekend.

“With NSW regulations now being so hard to navigate and remaining the most costly in Australia, not only will concert promoters start to scale back or cancel national and local concerts, Australian performers that are showcased as part of these events will be first on the chopping block.





“Audiences, tourism, supply chains and the hospitality sector will all lose out. But critically, local musicians, performers and crews will lose much needed work for an industry that is now in crisis.

The Australian music industry nationally is appalled. This action clearly shows the government’s tin ear to industry consultation and due process. They have got it wrong.

“Every music lover in every city, town and regional area across NSW should be very concerned about what’s happening in NSW right now and if they care about live music and festivals they should make their voice heard.”



ENDS

Statement issued by:

Live Performance Australia

Australian Festival Association

APRA AMCOS

Music NSW

Live Music Office

Media contact

Susan Fitzpatrick-Napier

DMG USA/Australia

Office: +1 61 2 8218 2144

team@dmgpr.com

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About LPA

LPA is the peak body for Australia’s live performance industry. Established 100 years ago in 1917 and registered as an employers’ organisation under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009, LPA has over 400 Members nationally. We represent commercial producers, music promoters, major performing arts companies, small to medium companies, independent producers, major performing arts centres, metropolitan and regional venues, commercial theatres, stadiums and arenas, arts festivals, music festivals, and service providers such as ticketing companies and technical suppliers. Our membership spans from small-medium and not-for-profit organisations to large commercial entities.

LPA has a clear mandate to advocate for and support policy decisions that benefit the sustainability and growth of the live performance industry in Australia