Ever wanted a festival-free New South Wales? Well, we’ve got some good news for you! All of your fave NSW festivals are considering their future in the state thanks to the lack of co-operation from NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and the state government. Wonderful. This is fine.
We’re talking Splendour In The Grass, Falls Festival, Groovin The Moo, St. Jerome’s Laneway Festival, Field Day, Listen Out…the list goes on.
Sydney Morning Herald reports that the major festivals – who have formed the Australian Festival Association – are essentially considering a future elsewhere in Australia following the government’s relentless push to up the policing and security measures at music festivals with new legislation – a move that’s been highly condemned by festivals, artists and punters alike.
Laneway festival co-director Danny Rogers says that the government’s harsh legislation might leave these festivals with no other choice.
“There are other states outside NSW that are willing to better support our business,” he said.
“We may be left with no choice but to consider our options.”
Fuzzy Operations – the company behind Field Day and Listen Out – director Adelle Robinson said that they’ve been getting nothing but radio silence from the government about this new legislation.
“Yet again, last week we saw new legislation for music festivals introduced by this government without any consultation,” Robinson said.
The NSW government has yet to respond, and unfortunately seem unlikely too. Great.
In the meantime, you can find more about the work the AFA are doing here.
