From the President

DAVID BASHEER – AHA|SA PRESIDENT

Watch Video Here: https://youtu.be/irQv9HtEkHQ

Live Music Needs Injection

Many people were stunned when acclaimed Australian performer Ricki Lee announced to the AHA|SA Awards night crowd that it was her first live gig in 12 months. I looked around the room and saw most people shaking their heads in disbelief.

Ricki’s one powerful sentence has shone a light on the plight of so many of our local artists.

Music SA surveys constantly confirm that over 80% live music in SA takes place in a pub. We need each other, and we are both hurting.

The news that some restrictions on dancing have been lifted is welcome news. It gives live acts and DJs a fighting chance to make a living.

Now there is a golden opportunity for the State Government to make a real difference by introducing an uncomplicated voucher system, not riddled with red tape, that would support live music.

Here’s how it could work:

• Model it on the highly successful Great State voucher scheme.

• Venues register as a voucher venue.

• SA artists register for a voucher.

• Voucher subsidises cost of the SA artist.There is no doubt that this would promote an uplift of live music.

Space restrictions make the return to hosting music so much harder and such a scheme would encourage venues with 50% capacity to have confidence in booking live acts

Musos can’t all be as talented and in-demand as Ricki Lee. Many eke out a living on off-peak nights in suburban pubs, waiting for their big break, and the vouchers would be a substantial benefit.

This section of our industry will be playing catch up for a long time yet, so let’s reinvigorate it now.

“I looked around the room and saw most people shaking their heads in disbelief.”

JOBKEEPER- WHAT IS NEXT?

I don’t need to inform those reading this column about how important JobKeeper has been.

Many of our members ceased to qualify at the end of September; with the November closure and subsequent heavy restrictions serving as a painful reminder that they no longer had Government help.

JobKeeper is now legislated to cease at the end of March.

This is a real concern for our members whose businesses rely on international tourism and the convention market.

Rest assured that at the national level, the AHA is continuing to represent members at the very highest level of government on the importance of a targeted continuation of support for those most in need.

Our argument comprises the following:

• Our labour-intensive industry can only provide employment, which is a key government ambition, if the market exists!

• The AHA advocates the need for a short-term, continuing wage subsidy for businesses and workers directly impacted by government health directions.

• The wage subsidy support would operate via payroll but in addition to a reduction in turnover, the business confirms they operate within a business that is still highly impacted by restrictions imposed by Government to manage COVID19.

• Needs to continue for as long as restrictions are in place and these businesses are still experiencing this level of revenue impact

• Eligibility tested quarterly.

• Eligible staff are those employed on or before 1 January 2021.

It is worth remembering that in the 74 days either side of Xmas, nearly 10 million Australians were sent into lockdown. Let’s not become immune to those figures: 10 million people, 74 days of lockdown during a peak trading period.

Finally, many have said it and I will repeat it: “hospitality bears the brunt of the loss of revenue and jobs”.

SMALL BARS IN THE SUBURBS

The review into Liquor Licensing commissioned by the then Labor Government and undertaken by Tim Anderson QC in 2015 recommended small bars should continue to be restricted to the CBD.

That view was later endorsed by the Parliament with the support of both major parties. Reforms were implemented between 2017 and 2019.

However, Anderson did include a caveat that is should be reviewed later this year – and that time is looming closer.

The AHA remains totally opposed to any changes in the small bar legislation.

Indeed, we believe that current circumstances and community expectations require only the briefest of reviews.

Since the Anderson Review with the loss of the Needs Test and post-Covid, trading conditions have become significantly tougher.

The thought of further liberalisation of the Licensing Act to create even more competition at this very moment would be economic vandalism.

Small bars in the suburbs would further decrease CBD activity. Capital cities around Australia are the most Covid-affected areas in terms of the fall in numbers. This is something the Premier and our politicians readily accept.

The AHA|SA will be presenting a strong, fact-based case to both politicians and regulators.

As much as some suburban Councils continue to agitate for change based on a pipedream, this is definitely not the time for a speculative loosening of our licensing laws.