EXCLUSIVE: Promoters Divided Over Touring Visa Fee Increases: 'This Is An Overreaction'

The impact that the hefty increases to visa processing charges will have on international acts looking to tour Australia has been hugely contested over the last week and with suggestions that fees could rise by up to 600 percent, some of the country’s biggest promoters have spoken exclusively to The Music about what these changes could mean for Australia’s live touring scene.

Veteran promoter and beloved industry figure Michael Chugg has slammed the decision, saying there is a lack of communication between the government and the music industry.

"As already made clear, this is going to cost promoters and the fans a lot of money that doesn't exist right now," Chugg says.

"For festivals and promoters, being asked to find anywhere from 10K to 50K extra, will mean less new acts touring and a drop-off in festival line ups.

"It is also worrying that with so many Australian acts (hundreds touring overseas), we could see a kick back effect from UK and US governments and industry bodies making it harder for our acts to tour internationally.

"What’s not being mentioned is the extra time needed to apply and the additional amount of paperwork, like FBI & other clearances needed by international acts. It will mean less tours, less support spots for local acts, publicans & venues, sound companies, road crews, service companies all losing revenue and so on."

The head honcho of Chugg Entertainment further accuses the government of making changes to laws that directly impact songwriters.

"What about the funding cuts to Sounds Australia, the leading edge of our international breakthroughs & other arts bodies?" Chugg continues.

"Now they are looking at changing copyright laws so that multi-nationals like YouTube will be able to provide music to users with out a license, thus not paying the writers & artists royalties."

Some of the country’s biggest festivals will arguably be most effected from the increases, set to be introduced on 19 November, and director of Byron Bay’s Bluesfest, Peter Noble, says the move will impact more than just international artists.

"Bottom line is, someone must pay [for the fee increases]," Noble said in a statement given to The Music.

"Is it going to be the public through increased ticket prices? Or will touring artists accept lower guarantees? Will younger emerging-type artists have less opportunities to tour?

"The truth is, there has been zero studies made of the potential effect and industry approaches to Immigration Minister Peter Dutton to discuss the increased charges have received a complete shut out."

Noble adds that Australia’s live music scene is already "reeling" from lockout laws and grant cuts.

"In the end, it will be the public and people who work in the creative industries who will be affected negatively. This is a bad decision. It should be reviewed. It should be withdrawn."

In contrast, Stereosonic co-founder Richie McNeill believes that the negative reaction to the increases are an "overreaction" and argues that there needs to be a balance between touring artists and the visa costs.

"Basically a visa will cost approximately $200 each [with the changes], where they used to be closer to $600," he explains to The Music.

"And for a group of, like, 20 or more it was a flat $6900, or something like that. For festivals with 300 touring artists, why should they pay $6900 or $25 each? It’s not enough. The amount of work the visa office has, the system, it needs to be fair.

"This is just an overreaction. Sure artists will get a little less, but if rock bands want to bring 100 people, including someone to do their hair, well, the visa cost is the visa cost.

"On larger events sure, we will now pay more for our visas, but I think it’s fair."

However, Chugg concludes that the government’s intentions calls for a swift reaction from the wider music community.

"The industry needs to come together on all these issues now," he says.

"There is a huge lack of understanding at the Government level, and this money grabbing from our culture must stop."