Victoria’s November 28 election has brought live music policy into the campaign. Labor and the Liberal-National Coalition have proposed changes to late-night trading and venue rules, with different plans for reducing barriers to events.
Trading hours and approvals
A re-elected Labor government would give every pub the automatic right to trade until 3 am. Pubs currently need to apply to operate beyond 1 am.
- Labor also proposes a permanent government Live Music Desk, noise regulation changes, a new Live Gigs Fund and protected music precincts in Fitzroy, Collingwood, Geelong and Ballarat.
- Labor has committed $4 million for regional touring and $1 million for regional festivals.
- The Coalition would allow eligible Melbourne bars and music venues to trade until 3 am and offer multi-year licences to operators with strong compliance records.
- The Coalition also proposes one application process for the traffic, policing and liquor approvals festival organizers need. An industry-backed advocate would help coordinate the changes.
Later trading could give venues more time to earn revenue after performances and more scope for longer bills, aftershows and late-night programming. Longer licences and a single festival application could reduce administrative costs and uncertainty for event organizers.
Venue protections
Victoria has created a Live Music Overlay that lets councils identify music precincts and individual venues in the planning system. It would give residents and developers clearer notice of established nightlife nearby and give venues greater protection in disputes over sound.
Industry funding proposal
Music Victoria’s Vote Victorian Music campaign is calling for a permanent Victorian Music Trust funded by a 1% levy on tickets for major events at stadiums, arenas and government-owned venues. The organization estimates that the levy could raise approximately $4.4 million a year for artists, independent venues and grassroots music.
