Published
Fri, May 31, 2019, 01:54
- The controversial amendments dubbed a "war on festivals" will be the subject of a government inquiry.
New South Wales' controversial festival licensing scheme will be the subject of a government inquiry three months after its implementation.
The suite of new costs and restrictions for festivals operating in the state—including massive increases in policing fees that threaten the viability of numerous events—was rushed into place in February as a response to drug-related deaths over the summer, leading local media to call the measures a "war on festivals." Now, following a referral to the Legislative Council's Regulation Committee by John Graham, the shadow minister for music, The Music Network reports that the state government has agreed to investigate the regulations in a public inquiry.
"This is a welcome next step and I encourage members of the festival industry and the public to make submissions," said Graham. "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 news comes just one day after Western Sydney hardstyle festival Defqon.1 announced the event would be "postponed indefinitely" after their venue, the Sydney International Regatta Centre, withdrew their support. "Despite our best efforts, we have been unable to secure a suitable replacement venue for the event to take place this September," the statement read. "While we continue to look for a suitable alternative location that meets our quality standards, we remain uncertain if and when we return."
Two attendees died at Defqon.1's 2018 event after suspected drug overdoses, leading NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian to call for the festival to be shut down. It was one of the early incidents in a summer rife with public debate surrounding pill testing, ultimately leading to the state government's hurried decision on festival licensing back in February.
Earlier this week, Premier Berejiklian also ordered an inquiry into Sydney's lockout laws, another controversial piece of legislation which has been criticised for devastating the city's nightlife scene and music community. The result of that review is expected to be seen in September.
The committee investigating the festival licensing regulations will report to parliament by August 6th.