Minister Calls For Insurance Scheme For Festivals After Last Minute Bluesfest Cancellation

NSW Labor is calling on the local Government to work with state, territory and federal Governments to create a "business insurance fund" on the back of yesterday's last minute Bluesfest cancellation.

The 2021 event was scheduled to kick off today, however the festival was called off late yesterday following a COVID-19 outbreak in Byron Bay this week.

Shadow Minister for Music and the Night Time Economy John Graham says that the latest festival cancellation highlights the risk that operators are taking and that an insurance scheme would help create "some certainty for the live music and entertainment sector". 

“After the Bluesfest cancellation we urgently need a government insurance scheme for festivals," Graham said.

“It’s not fair that music heroes like the Bluesfest team wear all the risk of COVID outbreaks and health restrictions.”

Bluesfest Director Peter Noble issued a statement last night following the 2021 cancellation. 

“This is one of the most difficult statements I have ever had to make. We really wanted to be at the forefront of the return of live music at pre-COVID-19 level," Noble said.

“We feel deeply for everybody affected, the fans, the artists, and the hard-working Bluesfest team. But in the end, the health of our community must come first."

It is expected that Bluesfest will be rescheduled to a later date.