John Wardle

This study lays out the Australian state and territory legislation and regulations governing liquor-licensed venues in which live music performance is offered. The legislation is associated mainly with the conditions under which liquor licences are granted and the local government and environment regulations governing liquor-licensed and other venues where music is to be offered. At the beginning of the paper, key issues are identified and discussed.

One could guess that the majority of professional musical performances in Australia take place in licensed premises such as hotels, clubs and restaurants, despite the often bizarre obstacles thrown up but regulations: for instance, that no regulatory impediments whatever are placed on a large-screen presentation in a hotel of a televised boxing or football match, but to present a lone guitarist may require a renovation of the premises and payment of a special licence fee. The study takes the view that the objectives of any licensing regime should include the fostering of musical culture rather than, as is often the case, constraining it.

Read the report. Published September 2008.

The MCA update on the NSW live music regulatory reform. Published October 2008.