2025-01-23
Following news today that Splendour in the Grass will be cancelled, the Greens have called on the Albanese Government to deliver urgent reform to revive festivals and avert another string of cancellations in 2025.
Greens arts spokesperson and Senator for South Australia, Sarah Hanson-Young:
“Today, music fans and the arts sector are reeling to hear Splendour is cancelled for another year. We can’t afford another year of festival cancellations in the cost of living crisis.
“We’ve seen this sad movie before and it’s a warning to policy makers that unless we see reform that can actually revive the live music sector, 2025 could be another wipeout year of festival cancellations.
“Festivals are about more than just supporting great Australian artists, creating lifelong memories and giving euphoric vibes - thousands of creative workers are employed in the arts sector. Thousands more are employed in the small businesses that rely on the ‘arts-tourism’ factor, particularly in regional Australia. Another year of cancellations will leave painful economic scars in the cost of living crisis.
“Reform is urgently needed if we are to revive our local music and festival culture. We need to look at funding, tax and insurance reforms and the Greens stand ready to work with the Government to deliver a package that can stem the cancellations and allow new and independent operations to flourish.
“Splendour is one of Australia’s most beloved festivals and there will be a lot of fans, musicians and arts workers coming down today upon hearing this news.”