New South Wales’ 'War On Festivals' could be axed following new inquiry

The 'War On Festivals' New South Wales authorities have been waging could be axed following a new inquiry. 

The Australian state government's prohibitive licensing regulations, which came into play in February 2019, have been slammed in a new 108-page report delivered by a parliamentary investigation. 

Major criticisms of policy included a lack of consultation between ministers and industry figures, 'user-pays policing', an 'inadequate' consultation process and a 'significant cost increase for the music industry'. 

Recommendations have now been made to immediately disallow the regulations and establish a 'regulatory roundtable' for music festivals. 

In March DJ Mag ran an in-depth feature on the rules, which were introduced as a response to drug-related deaths at outdoor events. The reactive move called for a substantial boost to the number of police on-site at festivals. These security costs are covered by promoters, leading to a number of cancellations. 

"I welcome this report and its findings," John Graham, Labor Shadow Minister for Music, told The Music Network.

"We don't support the hastily developed music festival licence. It has done tremendous damage to the music sector, here and around the country. Importantly, we need a new regime in place for the upcoming summer festival season. The government should meet with the industry to immediately get this in place." 

May saw the announcement that so-called 'lock out laws' in state capital Sydney could be rescinded after five years, putting an end to restrictions including 1.30AM last entry and 3AM last drink policies. It's thought that these rules have cost the city's nighttime economy $1.4billion and millions of visitors.