Don't Kill Live Music Australia

Due to a number of deaths at festivals taking place in the state over the course of 2018 and 2019, the NSW Government had changed their focus towards festival related policies with hopes to reduce drug related casualties.[5] The five deaths that initiated the urgency of regulation change were young adults between the age of 19 and 23. 19-year-old Alex Ross-King was the fifth death drug-related death taking place in New South Wales. Other deaths included Diana Nguyen, 21, Joseph Pham, 23, Callum Bosnan, 19, and Josh Tam, 22. These deaths occurred at FOMO festival, Defqon.1, Knockout Games of Destiny and Lost Paradise, all four of which are now included on the list of 'high-risk' events.[9] Several festival organisers such as Psyfari and Mountain Sounds (festival) (who have both since cancelled their festivals in 2019) have expressed their concerns with regards to excessive costs[10] which include NSW Police bills that quote approximately 200,000AUD[11] for their mandatory services.[5] The new policies have been criticised by several festival attenders and as a result of that, the Don't Kill Live Music campaign was launched.

The campaign intensified with the media attention the petition was receiving, as well as social media support from several Australian artists such as Amy Shark, RÜFÜS DU SOL, and Vance Joy.[7] The social media outrage was heavily targeted towards the NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian, who played an extensive role in transforming the festival regulations. Berejiklian insists that the motive behind the new policies were measures to make festivals safer and more enjoyable.[1] Berejiklian's concern with regards to the safety of these festivals are supported by the concerning NSW Health data. Reports suggest that over 66 young festival-goers required extensive emergency medical care over the summer of 2018–19 in New South Wales.[12] The rally was held regardless of Berejiklian's statements, and was considered a success with nearly 30,000 protestors and performing acts such as electronic music duo, Peking Duck.[3]

According to a study by Deloitte, Sydney's economy could be generating AU$16 billion more per annum if it was not for the underdeveloped night life. The research suggests that despite the 230,000 jobs and AU$27 billion per annum that the industry has already generated, there is a lot of are for growth.[13] However, laws and regulations surrounding night-life and live music are hindering any chance of growing the industry. Economic partner at Deloitte, Kathryn Matthews, believes that an attractive arts sector, rich in culture, would attract and retain talent within Sydney.[13]

Prior to the rally, the campaign received mass media attention from a petition started on Change.org, signed by tens of thousands of supporters across Australia, including Australian public figures such as Amy Shark and Daryl Braithwaite.[10] What many individuals saw as the government's "war on music and culture" in New South Wales, had a contender in the petition.[1] The petition gained over 100,000 signatures leading to direct talks between major representatives from the festival industry within the New South Wales where concerns were shared regarding new regulations and policies surrounding the industry.[14]

The petition holds a strong stance against the government's actions with regards to their newly imposed regulations as well as established drug and alcohol policies:

"Music is being killed off by Premier Berejiklian and the LNP. Festivals are being forced to cancel or move interstate,"[1]

"Instead of consulting with festival experts, the NSW Government imposed punitive regulation that specifically targets music festivals and music fans. Festivals are being used as a scapegoat for years of failed drug and alcohol policy."[1]

The petition received a response from the former Labor leader, Michael Daley, claiming that if the Labor party were to win the elections, up to AUD$35million would be funded for contemporary music.[14] However, soon after the statement, the election was won by the Berejiklian government.[15]

The main intentions of the rally was to delay the new policies and regulations that were set to be established on 1 March 2019, till after the New South Wales state elections on 23 March 2019. The campaign organisers were concerned that the regulatory body did not have an ideal understanding about music festival operations in order to efficiently regulate it. The rally's message was to delay implementation of the new policies until the ideal entities could cooperate with the regulatory body and make educated recommendations.[16]

Before the Rally took place, the government issued a statement suggesting that there was a confusion with the interim guidelines, and are instead open to discussion with the industry, regarding the balance of safety and entertainment within festivals.[17]

45th Premier of the New South Wales, Gladys Berejiklian

Media coverage was heavily focussed on the pill-testing debate during the few months leading up to New South Wales' 2019 state election. The controversial topic took to new heights due to the several drug-related deaths at festivals in the state.[21] The Government's response to the tragic incidents were prioritising the safety of festival attendees. New licensing schemes that could negatively affect festivals were introduced despite the government being aware of the importance of the live music culture that New South Wales thrives on.[21]

Gladys Berejiklian's press release regarding the reasoning behind NSW Health being a major part of the new regulations:

“Currently, there is no regulatory requirement for event organisers to work with NSW Health. “However, NSW Health has directly approached organisers planning to hold events on land managed by the Office of Environment and Heritage. NSW Health encourages these event-organisers to deliver harm reduction messages to attendees.”[22]

The press release states nothing about future plans for pill-testing facilities, however, it addresses that the Government are taking the most effective approach to dealing with the safety of festival-goers.[22] Berejiklian ensures that she is aware of the importance of music festivals and its positive role in the entertainment industry, however, she claims to owe it to young individuals and their families to keep them safe. Berejiklian suggests that the introduction of the new licenses will focus on high risk events.[22]