Qld music icons launch petition for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to alleviate restrictions on live music venues
Bernard Fanning is one of many music icons supporting a new petition calling on Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to stop the ‘double standard’ restricting live music but not sport.
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A petition calling to end the double standard between the restrictions for live music and live sport has gained momentum as key Queensland Government figures meet with members of the state’s live music industry.
The Play Fair petition, launched by The Triffid’s John Collins and The Frotitude’s Brett Gibson on Thursday, had amassed more than 10,000 signatures by midday on Friday.
Along with Bernard Fanning and key music industry figures, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner added his voice to the petition on Friday.
“Double Standards: Huge sporting events are OK, but Live Music is being strangled by restrictions,” he wrote to Instagram.
“Join John Collins, myself and the chorus of live music lovers calling for the State Government to play fair with Queensland’s live music scene. The live music scene is still only allowed to operate at a reduced capacity, leaving talented local musicians, roadies and hospitality workers without job opportunities and venues struggling to break even.
We’ve done so well in the fight against COVID and now it’s time to let live music live.”
Bart Mellish, assistant minister to the Premier, and arts minister Leanne Enoch agreed to meet with music industry representatives to discuss their concerns.
In a tweet, shadow minister for arts Christian Rowan said while “health advice must be followed” the government “needs to provide greater economic support for the arts and live music sector”.
THURSDAY
Bernard Fanning and his former Powderfinger bandmate John Collins are among those petitioning for the Queensland Government to better support the decimated live music industry, highlighting a double standard with the treatment of live sport.
The Play Fair petition, launched today by Collins and The Fortitude Music Hall’s Brett Gibson, asks Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to alleviate restrictions on live music venues, similar to what was done at Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba, saying Queensland’s live music scene wouldn’t survive 2021 under the current crowd restrictions.
The petition highlights the “unfair double standard” that saw large crowds attend the State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium while live music venues continue to operate at reduced capacity, meaning the venues struggle to cover costs for artists and staff.
Fanning championed the petition on social media today, saying “There seems to be no equivalence between the way sport and the live music industry is treated, live entertainment in general.”
“Queensland’s Live Music Venues are barely hanging on under tough Covid restrictions. Please sign our petition now for the Government to end social distancing double-standards,” he wrote.
“Venues are not back to 100%. We’re currently at 30% as are most QLD venues. Our industry is asking the State Government to PLAY FAIR.”
A spokesman for the Premier said the Government’s response to the pandemic was based on expert health advice.
The petition, which already had more than 4,200 signatures by 4pm today states: “While strict rules have been relaxed for Suncorp Stadium to host State of Origin with 50,000 people packed in, music venues are still only allowed to operate at a reduced capacity with heavy social distancing restrictions. Venues can’t even break-even, let alone pay artists and other staff.”
“Due to this unfair double-standard, thousands of people are out of work including band members, bar staff, roadies, lighting specialists, soundies and more. At this rate QLD’s live music scene will shut down in 2021, killing an incredibly strong part of the Australian music scene and the birthplace for many acclaimed artists.”
Bart Mellish, assistant minister to the Premier, and arts minister Leanne Enoch are meeting with music industry representatives to see what can be done.
In a tweet, shadow minister for arts Christian Rowan said while “health advice must be followed” the government “needs to provide greater economic support for the arts and live music sector”.
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