Media Release
30 SEPTEMBER 2019
AUSTRALIAN FESTIVAL INDUSTRY CONFERENCE ORGANISERS INVITE NSW’S FIRST FESTIVAL REGULATORY ROUND-TABLE MEETING TO BE HELD AT THE INAUGURAL CONFERENCE NEXT MONTH
Following last week’s news which saw the scrapping of the NSW music festival licensing and the recommendation that an industry round-table should be established, the organisers of Australia’s only festival industry conference are extending an invitation to all potential key stakeholders and bodies to hold their first round-table meeting at the conference next month.
The round-table was unanimously called for by the Legislative Council Regulation Committee inquiry. It was recommended that NSW Government immediately establish a regulatory round-table for music festivals, with the participants to include:
- NSW Ministry of Health;
- Liquor & Gaming NSW;
- NSW Police;
- Other relevant government agencies;
- Industry bodies – e.g. Live Music Office, the Australian Festival Association, APRA AMCOS, MusicNSW and Live Performance Australia;
- Local Government NSW;
- Health-related/harm minimisation groups, such as Harm Reduction Australia, NSW Users and Aids Association, and the Foundation for Alcohol Research & Education
The Australian Festival Industry Conference (AFIC) was launched earlier this year and will be held for the first time next month across 24-25 October at Opal Cove Resort in Coffs Harbour, NSW.
The Conference aims to discuss key issues facing the national festival industry, including ‘pre-hospital health and medical safety at festivals’ – this year’s industry panel discussion topic.
The panel discussion will explore the unique role, demands, and benefits of pre-hospital event medicine. From the latest in event medical research, to current legislation and guidelines, to the latest in event medical technology.
Founder and event director, Carlina Ericson confirmed that Daniel Madeddu, Director of NSW Ministry of Health, is already secured to speak as part of the panel.
“They’ll be talking through their newly released guidelines – NSW Health Guidelines for Music Festival Event Organisers: Music Festival Harm Reduction – which the inquiry deemed a positive step in addressing drug and alcohol-related issues at music festivals”, says Ms Ericson.
Other confirmed panel members include Mike Hammond, Director of EMS Event Medical and Elliot Williams, Clinical Lead at St Johns Ambulance NSW.
The Australian Festival Association, Live Performance Australia, APRA AMCOS, MusicNSW and the PPCA have all expressed the need for the government and the industry to work closely.
“What better place for NSW’s first official industry round-table meeting to take place than at Australia’s first festival industry conference?
“We have a number of local Councils and promoters already registered to attend and this would provide a rare, neutral and timely opportunity for such industry consultation and engagement to take place ahead of the summer festival season.
“The launch of AFIC is therefore quite timely in that it provides a platform for professional and intelligent discussion on many key issues.
“I welcome the attendance of all recommended key bodies; the Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres; and John Graham, Shadow Minister for Music and Night-Time Economy”, says Ms Ericson.
-ENDS-
Tickets are on sale now. To view the program, click here. To purchase tickets, click here.
To receive event updates, or for more information, subscribe here.