A Jess Wilson-led Liberal and Nationals Government will give Victoria’s nightlife a fresh start, backing local pubs, restaurants, live music venues and festivals to attract more visitors, boost business and create more jobs through a new package of reforms.
Under Labor, Melbourne has lost one in four regular live music venues since 2019, with 338 music venues lost between 2018 and 2024 statewide, while Victoria’s unemployment rate has been stuck above the national average for more than 30 months.
Rising costs, excessive rules and lengthy approvals are making it harder for local businesses to get ahead.
A Liberal and Nationals Government will implement reforms to liquor licensing, event and festival approvals, including:
- 24 Hour Economy, Music and Events Advocate: Appoint a new industry-backed advocate to spearhead reforms to the 24-hour economy and act as a single point of contact for venues, promoters and festival organisers.
- Faster liquor licence approvals: A six-week statutory decision timeframe for standard liquor licence applications.
- Backing trusted venues: Introduce a new Trusted Operator Status for consistently compliant venues, providing multi-year licences and streamlined regulatory processes.
- Rewarding live entertainment and performances: Work with industry to identify incentives for licensed venues hosting live music and performances, including discounts on liquor licence and extended-hours fees, and trading-hour extensions.
- Bringing back major events and festivals: Streamline approvals for festivals and outdoor events by bringing together traffic, policing and liquor licensing requirements for major and international events.
- Streamlining Place of Public Entertainment (PoPE) permits: Reduce the onerous PoPE requirements for smaller events and make it easier to apply and gain approvals.
These reforms are part of the Liberals and Nationals’ 10-year economic plan to reduce costs, deliver more jobs and secure Victoria’s economic future.
Leader of the Opposition and Shadow Treasurer, Jess Wilson, said: “Boosting Victoria’s pubs, restaurants, festivals and live music venues is a key part of my team’s plan to make Victoria the best place in the nation to do business.
“Victoria’s nightlife and live music scene has the potential to drive our economy right around the clock, but this sector has been neglected and is tied up in red tape under Labor.
“Only my Liberal and Nationals team has a plan to deliver more jobs and a strong economy by rejuvenating our events, hospitality and live music sectors.”
Shadow Minister for Tourism and Major Events, David Southwick, said: “Victoria should be the events and live music capital of Australia, but under Labor the 24 hour economy has been held back by red tape, rising costs and a lack of support.
“Our Liberal and Nationals team will work with venues, artists, businesses and local communities to cut red tape and get Victoria’s nightlife and events calendar moving again.
“We want Victorians and visitors to be able to enjoy our world-class hospitality, live music and major events seven days a week, while supporting more jobs and investment across our state.”
Shadow Minister for Liquor and Gaming, Tim McCurdy, said: “Publicans, restaurateurs and venue owners are buried in paperwork, waiting months for decisions. Labor has made it harder to open, harder to trade and harder to survive.
“A Liberal and Nationals Government will bring common sense back to liquor regulation.”
