page_title: The War on Music (NSW, Australia)
section_title: Context
hierarchical_section_title: The War on Music (NSW, Australia) / Context
caption_attribution_description: English: Australian politician Gladys Berejiklian at Maitland Railway Station in February 2015
context_page_description: The War on Music (NSW, Australia) is a phrase coined by Australian media to refer to the implementation of new laws by the New South Wales Government with regards to the use of illicit drugs at concerts and music festivals. These proposed legislative changes come in response to a number of drug-related incidents occurring within Australian festivals. In response to these changes, NSW state politics has become divided on what actions are in the best interest of the state. With both support and opposition to the proposed laws, there is uncertainty as to what will happen to the future of Australia's music festival industry.
context_section_description: This political movement can be traced back to the introduction of Sydney's lockout laws. These laws, introduced by the NSW government, aimed to reduce alcohol-related violence by prohibiting licensed venues from "admitting patrons after 1.30 am or serving alcohol after 3 am".
  In a survey conducted by St Vincent's Hospital, "the incidence of general alcohol-related injuries was significantly lower one year after [the introduction of Sydney's lockout-laws]".
  On the other hand, these laws have also had an impact on Sydney's nightlife economy, with the industry experiencing an estimated $16bn decrease in sales revenue every year. As a result, NSW saw a rise in commercial events that were not impacted by Sydney's lockout laws, such as day parties and boutique festivals.
  Consequently, with the increased popularity of music festivals within NSW, there was a rise in the use of drugs at such events, causing the NSW government to take preliminary action. In 2018, the NSW Parliamentary Research Service (PRS) monitored the use of drugs at the 2018 Defqon.1 music festival. From their research, it was found that, of those searched, 20% of people attending the festival possessed drugs, with which 10 people were charged with supply offences. Furthermore, "two people attending the music festival died, another three were hospitalised in a critical condition and hundreds of others fell ill". Additionally, "a survey conducted at a major music festival in 2016 found that 60% of patrons had taken ecstasy in the last 12 months".
  Following this, NSW State Premier Gladys Berejiklian sourced an expert panel to help devise laws that aimed to improve safety at music festivals, particularly in relation to the use of illicit drugs.
  Soon after this, more drug-related incidents occurred during Western Sydney's Knockout Games of Destiny which we covered by multiple well-known Australian media outlets, inspiring more political discussion about drug safety. At this dance festival, one person died and sixteen others with hospitalised with suspected drug overdoses. This sparked more intense political debates with regards to festival safety.
  Furthermore, according to government health data, at least 66 young people were taken to emergency care from NSW music festivals over the summer of 2019.
caption: Current NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (2019)
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