Live Performance Australia slams NSW Government’s 'broken promises' on music festival consultation

Australia’s live music industry peak body, Live Performance Australia (LPA), has slammed the NSW Government of Premier Gladys Berejiklian for failing to deliver on a commitment from earlier this year to consult with the industry on festival regulation and safety issues.

In the wake of Premier Berejiklian yesterday introducing to Parliament legislation to reinstate a system that requires festivals deemed ‘high-risk’ to meet a safety management plan, the LPA has slammed lack of industry consultation, penning an open letter to the NSW Premier again requesting for collaboration and the opportunity to discuss regulation and safety at music festivals.

Expressing frustration that the NSW Government again appears to be unwilling to listen to organisers of festivals in NSW on regulation and safety issues, the LPA wrote “the festivals industry needs certainty and confidence about the government’s expectations.

"The process to date has been ad hoc and poorly handled - leading to confusion and uncertainty among festival organisers. There are still many unanswered questions.

“As you are aware, the live music industry has repeatedly expressed our strong desire to work collaboratively with your government on our shared commitment to safer music festivals.” the LPA wrote. “Since February this year we have requested that you convene an industry roundtable to discuss regulation and safety at music festivals.

“At a meeting on 20 February with government advisors and agency representatives, including from your office, we were assured proper industry consultation would be undertaken post the March election. This has not happened.

“We again request that you immediately convene a roundtable to discuss regulation and safety at music festivals. The draft Bill tabled yesterday is unworkable. The industry was not consulted on the design of this draft legislation. In its current form, it appears to be based on the regulations disallowed by the NSW Upper House which were unworkable for all the reasons outlined by industry. Without serious consultation with our industry this proposed legislation will not work and we do not support it.

The LPA letter added “setting aside the total lack of respect for the live music industry which is the largest contributor by far to NSW live revenue and attendance, providing thousands of jobs, particularly in regional areas, this draft Bill also delivers huge uncertainty for all music festival operators and concert promoters in the lead up to the summer touring season.

“We believe it is imperative that you immediately convene an industry roundtable to develop a workable framework that supports our shared objectives.

“If you are genuine about your commitment to better safety at music festivals and saving lives, you will understand that collaboration with industry is the only way to deliver better safety outcomes.”