EXCLUSIVE: WA Government Wants More Live Music Venues

The WA Government hopes that proposed changes to the state’s liquor licensing laws will result in a boost for its live music scene.

Last week, Premier Mark McGowan unveiled plans to further relax the state’s drinking laws, a move that would make it easier for "interesting and innovative" venues to establish themselves.

“We want to see more live music venues, in the city and the suburbs,” McGowan told The Music.

“We know that Perth is renowned for its live music and arts and I’d love to see more interstate and overseas visitors coming here to see the talent on offer.

“Our reforms are all about creating a more vibrant city and cutting some of the red tape that has made it difficult for exciting new venues to open.”

The proposed changes would also make it easier for pop-up venues and micro-festivals to occur.

If the changes are approved, potential pop-up venues would have their tourism, community and cultural benefits considered as part of a licence application, while the CEO of Tourism Western Australia would be given equal sway to that of the Chief Health Officer and Commissioner of Police when it comes to accessing liquor licensing applications.

McGowan has described the new reforms as the “most significant liquor law changes in the past decade”.

The new liquor licensing reform Bill is scheduled to hit Parliament this week.