Gov Live Music Roundtable Prioritises All-Ages, Noise Issues

Victoria's first Live Music Roundtable meeting took place today, with members of the industry meeting with the state Government, liquor licensing representatives and the Victorian Police opening discussion on possible live music reforms.

The long-awaited talks, which are helping to increase communication between the industry and other relevant parties, were promised by Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu and Minister For Consumer Affairs Michael O'Brien
during the last election. Today industry representatives have emerged from the meeting pleased with preliminary discussions.

"We were very happy with how it went, the government and liquor licensing were very open minded to all of our issues," Patrick Donovan, CEO of Music Victoria, told theMusic.com.au. He also said they were "heartened" by the talks, with the Government appeared to not want the meetings to be "a talkfest, they want to see some outcomes."

Yesterday an article in Inpress raised a number of issues regarding the regulations and policies surrounding under-age gigs and that has become one of the key points to emerge from the meeting.

Donovan said there were two issues that the first meeting focused on. "Basically making the agent of change principle [which determines responsibility for noise management] workable... and also the support to review the all-age gigs regulations and policies." The latter incorporates more than just liquor licensing, but increased communication and clarification of the regulations.

Save Live Australia's Music [SLAM] also attended the meeting and posted a statement shortly after, "Good meeting, noise issues, planning, under age gigs, regional gigs, education, land prices, artist development and more being tackled."

The Victorian music industry have been a driving force for Government recognition of live music nationally and industry eyes from around the industry are watching these ongoing meetings intently. Music Victoria are expected to have further developments by next week.