Greens Outline Plan For Live Performance Tax Offsets

Today, the Greens are outlining their plan for Live Performance Tax Offsets for touring artists, live performance venues, and theatre productions.

Announcing the plan at The Retreat Hotel in Brunswick, Victoria, this afternoon are Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Greens candidate for Wills, Samantha Ratnam.

Commenting on the pressures on the Australian live music industry presented by the COVID-19 pandemic and cost-of-living crisis, which have contributed to the closures of live music venues and the 70% decline in venue-based live music, the Greens call for funding and a new brand of support.

With their plan, the Live Performance Tax Offsets will reduce upfront costs for venues, touring artists, and production, incentivising venues to host local artists and spotlight Australian art.

The Greens’ proposed tax offsets are estimated to drive an 18% increase in live performances in the first year, followed by a 35% ongoing increase. The Parliamentary Budget Office has costed the political party’s plan, which would see a whopping $700 million invested in live performances.

For live music venues, the Greens seek a 10% tax offset for the cost of hosting live music; for artists, they call for a 50% tax offset for travel expenses; and for theatre productions, they recommend a 40% tax offset for the costs of live theatre productions—similar to the screen producer offset.

In a statement, Sarah Hanson-Young said the policy isn’t only good for the live music industry, but for small businesses, hospitality, and tourism sectors, while describing the Greens as the party of the arts.

“Art matters, live shows matter and our live music venues matter,” Hanson-Young said. “Live music and theatre bring our cities and towns alive. Gigs, concerts and festivals inject money and enthusiasm into our local communities, from the cities to the regions.

“This policy is good for small businesses and the hospitality and tourism industries as well as the artists and local performers we all love to watch and enjoy.  

“Our live performance sector is struggling. Amidst ongoing cost of living pressures and piecemeal funding programs from the government, more and more venues are being forced to close their doors.”

Hanson-Young continued, “The Greens plan to introduce a Live Performance Tax Offset for venues, touring artists and theatre productions will boost our arts sector and provide a tax incentive for Aussie pubs and clubs to host local artists and provide the platform for emerging talent.

“The arts play a critical role in telling the stories of Australia and our people - we must do whatever we can to keep these venues open and support the rise of local creatives.

“Investing in live events and performance is an investment into our local communities, small businesses and our tourism industry. 

“After decades of underfunding under the Liberal Government and tinkering around the edges by the Labor Government - it is clear the Greens are still the party for the Arts.

“In addition to the Greens $2 billion investment in the sustainability and future of the arts over the next decade - this policy will deliver the support our arts industry need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.”

Samantha Ratnam added, “Wills is home to a vibrant and diverse live music scene that I know has been under a lot of pressure. Arts are the lifeblood of a community.

“Wills is home to so many artists and venues like The Retreat. But we know so many live music venues are struggling to stay open, threatening the livelihoods of performers. Our community would lose so much heart and soul without live music.”

Live Performance Australia (LPA) welcomes the Greens’ plan. LPA CEO Eric Lassen said, “Production incentives are a proven formula for attracting new investment and underpinning confidence for putting new shows on stage.

“We've seen how they work in markets such as the UK, and in our own screen and digital games industries in Australia. 

“We know they would have an immediate and game-changing impact, supporting creators, producers and artists in bringing more performances to more Australians around the country.

“Our modelling shows a theatre production incentive would be revenue-positive for government, delivering more jobs, increased economic activity and significant social and cultural benefits.

“At a time of rising costs for production and touring and cost of living pressures on audiences, we need to be pulling every lever available to us, including incentives such as those proposed by the Greens to support a thriving, dynamic and diverse live performance industry.”