It has only been 91 days since the Berejiklian government’s controversial music festival licensing changes were introduced. Earlier this week, the NSW Parliament was given the all-clear to launch a formal investigation into the music licensing scheme.
Labor’s Shadow Minister for Music, John Graham, is expected to comment on the regulations at a public inquiry.
Graham explained, “These regulations have caused concern right across Australia’s music industry”.
“Major touring groups have raised the prospect that damaging the NSW festival industry could see high profile artists avoid Australia altogether.”
“That is bad news for music fans in Melbourne or Brisbane.”
With regards to the inquiry, Graham explained that it “is a welcome next step and I encourage members of the festival industry and the public to make submissions”.
“Just 91 days after introducing them and the Government has supported referring its own regulations to a committee for review. We welcome the Government’s change of heart on this ill-thought-out, heavy-handed approach.”
The license prompts heavy regulation and hefty bills for extra policing, which prompted mass revolt and public protests from musicians and members of the public alike.
Artists within the music industry have expressed public grievances towards the laws including Los Angelean Band, the Red Hot Chilli Peppers who saw the laws as “outlandish” and “stupid”.
The legitimacy of these laws are to be determined soon.
