Dear Premier,
Please meet with us.
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. 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.
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.
We stand ready to work with you.
Yours sincerely,
MusicNSW
Live Performance Australia
Australian Festival Association
APRA AMCOS
Live Music Office
