ARIA and PPCA welcome NSW Government’s regulatory overhaul of live entertainment

Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) and Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA) have welcomed the NSW Government’s announcement of a package to “put the age of lock-outs and over-regulation behind us,” including in excess of $58 million spent over 2023-24 in support of this work.

ARIA and PPCA Chief Executive Annabelle Herd shared “we thank the NSW Government for continuing to commit to creating an environment where contemporary music can thrive and realise its true potential as a cultural and economic contributor. The removal of red tape that has suppressed NSW’s capacity to deliver a world-class live entertainment offering is a major step toward retuning the state to its former glory as a hotbed for fostering up-and-coming talent and connecting them with new fans.

“Of course, it's not only artists and music professionals who stand to benefit from this regulatory overhaul but the community, business and workers. We congratulate the Premier, Deputy Premier, and Ministers John Graham, Paul Scully and David Harris for their work in paving the way for a more vibrant, diverse and innovative entertainment landscape in NSW, and look forward to the impact this will have across various initiatives taking place in NSW before the end of year, including Great Southern Nights.”

The package will focus on six areas of reform:

1. Sensible venue sound management
2. Vibrant, coordinated precincts
3. An activated outdoors
4. Empowering the 24-Hour Economy Commissioner to deliver a sustainable, thriving night-time economy
5. Licensing
6. Improving the night-time sector for workers

NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Western Sydney, Prue Car, noted initial reforms are expected to be delivered ahead of summer.