2025-04-11
On the back of the music industry’s call to secure the future of Australian music, the Greens have today announced our plan to provide critical tax relief for live performance venues, boosting Australia’s arts sector and supporting emerging artists.
Following the pressures created by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the current cost of living crisis, we have seen huge declines in live music venues and a 70% decline in venue-based live music, yet the industry remains under-funded and ignored by the government of the day.
The Greens plan for ‘Live Performance Tax Offsets’ will reduce upfront costs for venues, touring artists and production - providing an incentive for venues to host local talent and a platform for the future of Australian art.
Industry modelling shows that the tax offsets are expected to drive an 18% increase in live performances in the first year and a 35% ongoing increase.
The policy has been costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office and would see $700 million invested in live performance over the forward estimates.
Key policy points:
- Live music venues
- 10 per cent tax offsets for the costs of hosting live music
- Touring artists
- 50 per cent tax offset for travel expenses
- theatre productions
- 40 per cent tax offset for the costs of live theatre production (similar to screen producer offset)
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is spokesperson for the Arts:
“Art matters, live shows matter and our live music venues matter. Live music and theatre bring our cities and towns alive. Gigs, concerts and festivals inject money and enthusiasm into our local communities from the cities to the regions.
“This policy is good for small businesses and the hospitality and tourism industries as well as the artists and local performers we all love to watch and enjoy.
“Our live performance sector is struggling. Amidst ongoing cost of living pressures and piecemeal funding programs from the government, more and more venues are being forced to close their doors.
“The Greens plan to introduce a Live Performance Tax Offset for venues, touring artists and theatre productions will boost our arts sector and provide a tax incentive for Aussie pubs and clubs to host local artists and provide the platform for emerging talent.”
“The arts play a critical role in telling the stories of Australia and our people - we must do whatever we can to keep these venues open and support the rise of local creatives.”
“Investing in live events and performance is an investment into our local communities, small businesses and our tourism industry.
“After decades of underfunding under the Liberal Government and tinkering around the edges by the Labor Government - it is clear the Greens are still the party for the Arts.”
“In addition to the Greens $2 billion investment in the sustainability and future of the arts over the next decade - this policy will deliver the support our arts industry need to thrive in 2025 and beyond.”
Quotes attributable to Samantha Ratnam, Greens candidate for Wills
“Wills is home to a vibrant and diverse live music scene that I know has been under a lot of pressure. Arts are the lifeblood of a community.”
“Wills is home to so many artists and venues like The Retreat. But we know so many live music venues are struggling to stay open, threatening the livelihoods of performers. Our community would lose so much heart and soul without live music.”