Red tape cut for SA’s live entertainment venues

The South Australian Government is legislating to cut red tape for hotels, clubs and restaurants through the state which showcase live entertainment between 11am and midnight. The changes to the Liquor Licensing laws will come into effect “in a few months”.

Currently venues must submit an Entertainment Consent Application which specifies what days and times the music will be presented, and what styles of music are showcased. They also have to pay out $500 for the process – an unpopular fee roundly criticised by the state’s live entertainment sector.

The consent will now be abolished, making the whole process of putting music on cheaper and quicker. But the current policy will be retained for venues which operate after midnight until 11am.

Minister for Business Services and Consumers Gail Gago said, “These changes will have a very positive effect on the entertainment industry. There will be a much simpler process for venues that want to have live music. Patrons will be happy and South Australia will become even more vibrant.“

Ian Horne, GM of the South Australian Hotels Association praised the move. “This is an incredibly high-impact shot in the arm for hotels and live music.

Hotels are the main employer of live musicians in SA so the impact of this will be extremely significant. It is really fabulous news and the AHA is delighted.”

The removal of the entertainment consent was a recommendation of Live Music Thinker in Residence Martin Elbourne.

Greens spokesperson for the Arts Tammy Franks MLC, who tried a number of times to have the process removed, said, “Common sense finally came to North Tce today with this Government announcement. These were stupid laws, they will not be missed, and we must now act swiftly to see them off.

“The archaic approach in this state to the provision of live entertainment in licensed venues has long been part of the Greens’ position to support live music and the arts sector in our state. I am pleased the Government now sees the need to get the culture cops out of policing live music and performance, so they can instead focus their efforts on the responsible provision of alcohol in this state.

“Venues wanting to provide a place for creativity and connection confront a red tape-laden regime, where rules such as four people not five are allowed on a stage at the Seven Stars Hotel, or a jazz band is allowed at a venue but a grunge band is prohibited, are commonplace. With the exception of adult entertainment, which quite rightly is restricted to those over 18, surely there is no place to police genres of entertainment. I now urge the Government to bring this Bill to Parliament and pass it quickly.”

Franks pointed out that in 2008, a venue was prosecuted because it did not play folk music, as was specified in its licence. Another went to court because its licence prevented it from advertising its gigs.