The NSW Liberal Government still has its head in the sand on music festivals, after Premier GladysBerejiklian stubbornly refused to legislate a music festival roundtable. This step would allow the festival industry to work with government and to be consulted about ways to make music festivals safer.



Music festivals could flee the state after the governments bungling of this issue, thanks to the Governments heavy handed approach and refusal to listen to the sector.



Labor has called on the Government to work with the industry to keep festivals safe. That has not happened.



A Government Minister finally met with the festival industry for the first time yesterday to discuss their proposed bill. The Government has not established a music festival roundtable. This is despite a parliamentary inquiry, the Opposition, government members of the inquiry, government agencies and the industry all supporting the establishment of a roundtable.



During the debate in Parliament today I will be supporting theproposed amendments whichaims to achieve the following:


Establish a Music Festival Roundtable with government and industry members;
It would be tasked with growing the industry, supporting safety at festivals and reviewing evidence and regulation to ensure it is operating effectively.
The roundtable would meet at least four times a year, including once at a music festival site.
The roundtable would review the operation of the bill after this coming festival season to examine its impact.