Major Music Bodies Call For Halt Of Festival License Changes

Some of Australia''s key music bodies have rejected the NSW government's new festival policy, calling for a "halt" to its implementation. 

The Australian Festival Association (AFA) along with Live Performance Australia, Music NSW, APRA AMCOS and the Live Music Office have formed a coalition to "represent industry concerns about the new rules for music festivals" which are set to commence from 1 March. 

"As they stand, the new regulations will put festivals, events and live music in our cities, regional and remote communities under real threat," the AFA said in a statement today.

"A preliminary review of the draft regulations by the AFA yesterday has confirmed the draft regulations are still incomplete and make reference to risk assessment tools and interim guidelines that are still not available for review.

"We are deeply concerned the NSW Government is rushing ahead with a new license regime without proper industry consultation and careful consideration of the operational and economic impact of these changes."

The coalition will meet with representatives for the Premier today requesting that:

• The impending music festival licence regulation be delayed until further industry consultation takes place
• The government undertakes a full regulatory impact statement to examine and consider the impacts this will have on regional communities, our significant festival industry, the music industry and the broader community
• The government acknowledges the significant social, cultural and economic contribution music festivals make to NSW
• To ensure that emergency service costs borne by events are negotiated well ahead of time, and are consistent across NSW events

"We are all strongly committed to the safety at our events and are eager to work with the government on implementing sensible and effective measures developed through a proper consultation process," the AFA said.

"We want the government to provide certainty for the music festival industry and consider the far-reaching impacts that these significant changes will have on festival goers, musicians, festival organisers and communities that host them."

It comes as thousands are expected to attend a rally in Sydney's Hyde Park on Thursday to protest the policy.