Music Victoria Welcomes Coalition’s Live Music Reforms, Pushes for Greater Investment

Music Victoria has welcomed the Victorian Coalition's proposed live music reforms, but says greater investment in grassroots artists and music businesses is needed to secure the industry's future. 

The peak industry body has backed the Coalition's plans to ease regulatory pressures on live music venues, festivals and the night-time economy ahead of the November 28th state election.

Among the proposed measures are changes to liquor licensing, streamlined festival approvals, reduced red tape and incentives for venues hosting live performances. The Coalition has also proposed establishing a live music venues register.

While Music Victoria has described the measures as a positive step for the sector, it argues that regulatory reform must be accompanied by stronger financial support for the artists and businesses driving Victoria's $3.55 billion music economy.

"We welcome the Coalition's announcement and its recognition of the important role live music venues, festivals and the night-time economy play in Victoria's cultural and economic identity," Music Victoria CEO Fiona Duncan said.

"But cutting red tape alone won't secure the future of Victoria's grassroots music industry. Artists and music businesses create jobs, attract audiences and drive economic activity across the state. We need to invest in the people creating the music, not just the places where it's played."

Duncan also pointed to the disparity in government funding between Victoria and other states, claiming Victoria invested just 63 cents per person in contemporary music in 2026, compared to $3.10 in NSW and $1.46 in South Australia.

"Victoria is Australia’s second-largest music economy, yet NSW invests almost five times as much per person in its music sector. We’re leading in economic contribution, but falling behind in investment in our future," she said. "We cannot keep trading on our reputation as Australia's music capital without investing in the people who create the music."

The comments come as Music Victoria continues to push its Vote Victorian Music election platform, which calls for a $114 million investment package over four years to support artists, music businesses, career development and venue protection.

A key proposal is the creation of a permanent Victorian Music Trust, funded in part through a 1% contribution from major stadium and arena ticket sales, with locally owned promoters excluded.

According to Music Victoria, the proposed funding model could generate approximately $4.4 million annually to support grassroots music, providing an ongoing source of investment beyond government budget cycles.

With the Victorian election approaching, Music Victoria says it will continue engaging with all political parties and assessing their commitments against the four priorities outlined in its election platform: Invest, Support, Grow and Protect.