Following the news that there will be a Bluesfest in 2026, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young and Richmond Candidate Mandy Nolan launched the Greens festivals support package at Bluesfest on Saturday.
The package is part of the broader arts package already launched by the Greens.
Bluesfest Festival Director, Peter Noble, was at the launch to support the announcement – Noble having experienced first-hand the lack of government support for his event in recent years.
Festivals are in crisis
Greens spokesperson for the arts, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, said that festivals are in crisis. ‘Over the past few years we have seen the cancellation after cancellation of loved and iconic festivals. It’s clear that the government needs to step in to help the industry.
‘The Albanese government made some big promises to the arts industry when they were first elected. Almost three years on they have failed to deliver. A plan for the arts is nothing without the funding required to support the industry.
‘The Greens plan for supporting our festivals takes a holistic view of what the sector needs. This means direct support in the form of grants, a review of the market failure in insurance for live events, a federal strategy for the sustainability of festivals across the country into the future and tax offsets for both venues and artists.’
$20 million a year in grants for festivals
The policy will see an allocation of $20 million a year in grants for festivals, including higher maximum grants and the ability to use funds for developing on-site infrastructure, from within the Greens’ $200m per year Arts funding commitment.
The plan would also see $2m for a review to investigate the market failure of insurance in the live music industry and options to establish a government backed insurance scheme; the creation of a festivals strategy through Music Australia to ensure federal and state government coordination and support; tax offsets for touring artists and venues that host live performances – 10 per cent tax offsets for the costs of hosting live music and 50 per cent tax offset for travel expenses; and support that can benefit small businesses running festivals, with the establishment of a small business incubator and extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off until July 1, 2026.
Greens Candidate for Richmond, Mandy Nolan, said events like Bluesfest are crucial to the local economy. ‘We are one of the top regions in the country for cultural tourism. I understand Bluesfest is close to selling out this year and this delivers a huge injection into everything from hospitality, retail and our local arts scene.’
Artists Living Wage trial
Mandy Nolan says, ‘The Greens plan for an Artists Living Wage trial is another way we are supporting the arts community here in Richmond. With almost 5,000 arts workers in the Northern Rivers region, the arts are important to our economy, identity and culture. As a local Greens MP, I would push for this area to be a key site in any trial.’
Ms Nolan said that as a creative herself, she is in touch with many people in the creative community.
‘I know how important it is to support the arts in our community. Events like festivals are really a huge signature of who we are, and they’re part of our celebrations of how we come together as a community. I want us to see us building our festivals and events, not losing them.’
A solution for the longevity
‘It’s really important as a creative to be to be part of a solution for the longevity of this event,’ said Ms Nolan.
Senator Sarah Hanson-Young said festivals have always been part of the beating heart of the music industry in Australia. ‘I have known ever since I was a teenager that festivals are the way you discover music – you learn to share it with your friends and family.
‘You get to see your big stars and the people that you really admire and listen to every day, but you get to discover new talent and emerging artists, and it’s that bringing together of all of those things that is so important.’
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